Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes
Published on: November 21, 2017
Biotin-Initiated Poly(oxazoline)s
Joseph A Garcia1, Ashley Vergara Mendez1, Ellen M Sletten1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.
Abstract:
Biotinylated hydrophilic polymers are used in a plethora of chemical and biochemical assays due to the exceptional affinity of biotin for (strept)avidin. Here, we report a facile method for the installation of biotin at the end of poly(oxazoline)s (P(Ox)) using an electrophilic biotin initiator. While this method is applicable to many different oxazoline monomers, we focus on biotin-poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) as it is a desirable alternative to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which has rising immunogenicity concerns. A further advantage of P(Ox) over PEG is the high degree of chemical flexibility that can be imparted, which we showcase through the preparation of varied molecular weight, amphiphilic, and bifunctional P(Ox)s. Furthermore, we demonstrate the high efficacy of these biotin polymers through a series of common biochemical assays that frequently utilize the biotin-streptavidin pair.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Preparation of Epoxides
Epoxides result from alkene oxidation, which can be achieved by a) air, b) peroxy acids, c) hypochlorous acids, and d) halohydrin cyclization.
Epoxidation with Peroxy Acids
Epoxidation of alkenes via oxidation with peroxy acids involves the conversion of a carbon–carbon double bond to an epoxide using the oxidizing agent meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, commonly known as MCPBA. Since the O–O bond of peroxy acids is very weak, the addition of electrophilic oxygen of...
Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide

![Solid-phase Synthesis of [4.4] Spirocyclic Oximes](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F58508.jpg&w=3840&q=50)