Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs and PEOs)
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.
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
For more in-depth information, including the four general characterizations, key industrial applications, and related products, please explore our Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) and Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) Brochure.
Related Product Resources
- Article: Polyethylene Glycol Building Blocks for PEGylation
Sigma-Aldrich.com presents an article regarding Polyethylene Glycol Building Blocks for PEGylation.
- 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
Progress in biotechnology fields such as tissue engineering and drug delivery is accompanied by an increasing demand for diverse functional biomaterials. One class of biomaterials that has been the subject of intense research interest is hydrogels, because they closely mimic the natural environment of cells, both chemically and physically and therefore can be used as support to grow cells. This article specifically discusses poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels, which are good for biological applications because they do not generally elicit an immune response. PEGs offer a readily available, easy to modify polymer for widespread use in hydrogel fabrication, including 2D and 3D scaffold for tissue culture. The degradable linkages also enable a variety of applications for release of therapeutic agents.
- Tech Spotlight: Polyethylene Glycol Building Blocks for PEGylation
Progress in biotechnology fields such as tissue engineering and drug delivery is accompanied by an increasing demand for diverse functional biomaterials. One class of biomaterials that has been the subject of intense research interest is hydrogels, because they closely mimic the natural environment of cells, both chemically and physically and therefore can be used as support to grow cells. This article specifically discusses poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels, which are good for biological applications because they do not generally elicit an immune response. PEGs offer a readily available, easy to modify polymer for widespread use in hydrogel fabrication, including 2D and 3D scaffold for tissue culture. The degradable linkages also enable a variety of applications for release of therapeutic agents.
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