Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs and PEOs)
![A chalkboard illustration displaying the chemical structure of PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) with the formula C₂H₄O and a repeating unit represented as -[O-CH₂-CH₂]-n.](/deepweb/assets/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/categories/biomedical-materials/polyethylene-glycol-structure/polyethylene-glycol-structure.jpg "Polyethylene glycol chemical structure")
Polyethylene glycol (PEG), also known as polyethylene oxide (PEO) or poly(oxyethylene) (POE), is a synthetic, hydrophilic and biocompatible polyether. Typically, materials with molecular weight less than 20,000 g/mol are referred to as PEGs, whereas those with molecular weights above 20,000 g/mol are referred to as PEOs. These polymers are soluble in water as well as in many organic solvents, such as ethanol, acetonitrile, toluene, acetone, dichloromethane, hexane, and chloroform.
Products
Poly(ethylene glycol)
average Mn 400, hydroxyl
Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate
average Mn 700, acrylate, 100 ppm MEHQ as inhibitor, 300 ppm BHT as inhibitor
Poly(ethylene glycol)
average MN 8,000, hydroxyl
Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate
98%, cross-linking reagent polymerization reactions, methacrylate, 90-110 ppm monomethyl ether hydroquinone as inhibitor
Poly(ethylene glycol)
average Mn 6,000, hydroxyl
Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate
average MN 575, cross-linking reagent polymerization reactions, acrylate, 400-600 ppm MEHQ as inhibitor
Poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether
average MN 500, cross-linking reagent amine reactive, glycidyl
Poly(ethylene glycol)
average MN 3,350, hydroxyl, powder
Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate
average Mn 250, acrylate, 100 ppm MEHQ as inhibitor
Poly(ethylene oxide)
average MV 100,000 (nominal), powder, hydroxyl, BHT as inhibitor
Tetraethylene glycol
99%
Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate
average Mn 500, methacrylate, methoxy, 100 ppm MEHQ as inhibitor, 200 ppm BHT as inhibitor
Poly(ethylene glycol)
average MV 600,000 (nominal), powder, hydroxyl, BHT as inhibitor
Tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether
≥99%, cross-linking reagent click chemistry
Poly(ethylene glycol)
average Mn 300, hydroxyl
Poly(ethylene glycol)
average Mn 4,000, flakes
Poly(ethylene glycol)
average MN 20,000, hydroxyl
Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate
95%, cross-linking reagent polymerization reactions, methacrylate, 80-120 ppm MEHQ as inhibitor
Poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate
average Mn 360, methacrylate, 500-800 ppm MEHQ as inhibitor
Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether
average MN 5,000, methoxy, hydroxyl
Applications of PEGs
PEGs are non-toxic and commonly used in bioconjugation and surface functionalization applications, biomedical research, drug delivery, tissue engineering, as well as the food and cosmetics industries. The conjugation or non-covalent attachment of PEG polymer chains to molecules is referred to as PEGylation. The PEGylation method can enhance water biocompatibility and solubility, stability, and pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutics to improve their safety and efficiency in targeted diagnostics and drug delivery. PEG hydrogels are commonly used for the controlled release of therapeutics, cell culture scaffolds, regenerative medicine, wound healing, and tissue engineering.
PEG Derivatives and PEG Linkers
We offer a broad portfolio of well-defined PEGs with a wide range of molecular weights, end functionalities, reactivities, and polymer architectures.
- Heterobifunctional PEGs
- Homobifunctional PEGs
- Monofunctional PEGs
- PEG Dendrimers and Multi-Arm PEGS
- PEG Copolymers
- PEG Standards for GPC
- PEG and Oligo Ethylene Glycol
- Polyethylene oxide Powders
- High Oligomer Purity PEGs
Related Resources
- Article: Polyethylene Glycol Building Blocks for PEGylation
Circulatory half-life is a key success factor for new drugs. In this respect, PEGylation or PEG-ing—the modification of potential candidates ranging from non-peptidic small molecules to peptides and proteins, antibody fragments, aptamers, and saccharides or oligonucleotides with polyethylene glycol chains—offers numerous advantages.
- Article: PEG Selection Guide
Polyethylene glycol (PEG), also sometimes referred to as polyethylene oxide (PEO), is a condensation polymer of ethylene oxide and water that has several chemical properties that make it useful for biological, chemical and pharmaceutical applications.
- Tech Spotlight: Degradable Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels for 2D and 3D Cell Culture
This article specifically discusses poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels, which are good for biological applications because they do not generally elicit an immune response.
- Brouchure: Bench to Bulk - Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) and Polyethylene Oxide (PEO)
We offer 450+ PEGs for seamless R&D to production, diverse molecular weights, reliable supply chains, and custom packaging options.
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