Discrete-length polyethylene glycols

The oxyethylene-containing compound

A compound, comprising a first component coupled to an oxyethylene-containing linker through a first covalent bond, wherein the oxyethylene-containing linker comprises the reaction product of:

• a) at least one discrete oxyethylene-containing crosslinking moiety, wherein said crosslinking moiety comprises at least two reactive groups, and
• b) at least two oxyethylene-containing moieties, wherein said oxyethylene-containing moieties are discrete and have a molecular weight of less than about 300 g/mol, the oxyethylene-containing moieties being, covalently coupled to the crosslinking moiety through a bond selected from the group consisting of an amide bond, an ester bond, an amine bond, and combinations thereof.

A method for preparing, an oxyethylene-linked compound, comprising:

• reacting a crosslinking agent with an oxyethylene-containing compound to form an oxyethylene linker having a first covalent bond between the crosslinking agent and the oxyethylene-containing compound, wherein the oxyethylene-containing compound is discrete and has a molecular weight of less than about 300g/mol, and wherein the first covalent bond is selected from the group consisting of an amide bond, an ester bond, and an amine bond;
• and
• reacting the oxyethylene linker with a first component to form a second covalent bond between the oxyethylenelinker and the first component.

A method for preparing an oxyethylene-containing compound, comprising:

• reacting a first crosslinking agent with a first oxyethylene-containing compound to form a second oxyethylene-containing compound having a first covalent bond between the first crosslinking agent and the first oxyethylene-containing, compound, wherein the first oxyethylene-containing compound is discrete and has a molecular weight of less than about 300 g/mol, and wherein the first covalent bond is selected from the group consisting of an amide bond, an ester bond, and an amine bond;
• and
• reacting the second oxyethylene-containing compound with a second crosslinking agent to form a second covalent bond between the second crosslinking agent and second oxyethylene-containing compound to form the oxyethylene-containing compound.

An oxyethylene-containing compound, comprising the reaction product of:

• a) at least one discrete oxyethylene-containing crosslinking moiety, wherein said crosslinking moiety comprises at least two reactive groups;
• and
• b) at least two oxyethylene-containing moieties, wherein said oxyethylene-containing moieties are discrete, the oxyethylene-containing moieties being covalently coupled to the crosslinking moiety through a bond selected from the group consisting of an amide bond an ester bond an amine bond and combinations thereof.

A compound, comprising a first component coupled to an oxyethylene-containing linker through a first covalent bond, wherein the oxyethylene-containing linker comprises the reaction product of:

• a) at least one discrete oxyethylene-containing crosslinking moiety wherein said crosslinking moiety comprises at least two reactive groups, and
• b) at least two oxyethylene-containing moieties, wherein said oxyethylene-containing moieties are discrete, the oxyethylene-containing moieties being covalently coupled to the crosslinking moiety through a bond selected from the group consisting of an amide bond an ester bond, an amine bond, and combinations thereof.

A method for preparing an oxyethylene-linked compound, comprising:

• reacting a crosslinking agent with an oxyethylene-containing compound to form an oxyethylene linker having a first covalent bond between the crosslinking agent and the oxyethylene-containing compound, wherein the oxyethylene-containing compound is discrete, and wherein the first covalent bond is selected from the group consisting of an amide bond, an ester bond, and an amine bond;
• and
• reacting the oxyethylene linker with a first component to form a second covalent bond between the oxyethylene linker and the first component.

A method for preparing an oxyethylene-containing compound, comprising:

• reacting a first crosslinking agent with a first oxyethylene-containing compound to form a second oxyethylene-containing compound having a first covalent bond between the first crosslinking agent and the first oxyethylene-containing compound, wherein the first oxyethylene-containing compound is discrete, and wherein the first covalent bond is selected from the group consisting of an amide bond, an ester bond, and an amine bond;
• and
• reacting the second oxyethylene-containing compound with a second crosslinking agent to form a second covalent bond between the second crosslinking agent and second oxyethylene-containing compound to form the oxyethylene-containing compound.