General description

Poly(ethylene glycol) bis(2-pyridyl KAT) is a homobifunctional PEG featuring terminal potassium acyltrifluoroborate reactive groups for facile, rapid functionalization. Potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) are stable functional groups that undergo rapid amide-forming ligations with hydroxylamines in aqueous media, in the presence of unprotected functional groups. In addition to its compatibility, these reactions proceed relatively quickly, lending to their use with sensitive biological reagents. This conjugation reaction offers a new approach to the synthesis of complex molecules without the complication of side reactions, such protein-polymer conjugates. KATs also undergo amide or imide-forming ligations in acidic conditions when reacted with primary amines or amides, respectively, as an alternative to classical acylation chemistry. Poly(ethylene glycol) bis(2-pyridyl KAT)s have been recently used in the rapid PEGylation and dimerization of expressed, folded protiens in near equimolar conditions, demonstrating the potential for these materials in a wide variety of drug delivery applications.