mPEG Glutamic Acid - MW 2000 Da

Cat. No.: M163990

GRADE & PURITY MW 2000 Da

Storage

Store at -20°C,Argon charged

Shipped In

Ice chest + Ice pads

Overview

Amino acid and peptide PEG conjμgates were made from the covalent attachment of PEG to various amino acid derivatives.

Specifications

Specifications & Purity

MW 2000 Da

Storage

Store at -20°C,Argon charged

Shipped In

Ice chest + Ice pads

This product requires cold chain shipping. Ground and other economy services are not available.

Chemical and Physical Properties

• Solubility: Lyophilized powder form;Soluble in regular aqeous solution and common organic solvents

Application Protocols

Not applicable. No validated bioassay protocols (e.g., WB, IHC, IF, FC) or kit-style procedures are provided for this chemical reagent. For practical use, refer to the general guidance under Reaction Conditions, Solvent Selection, and Storage & Reconstitution, and adapt to your specific conjugation or materials workflow.

Biological Roles

Note: The following provides biochemical context only; this product is for research use only and not for use in humans or animals.

• PEG segment (general background)

  • Poly(ethylene glycol) is widely regarded as biologically inert and hydrophilic, imparting “stealth” characteristics that reduce protein adsorption and aggregation in research systems. It increases hydrodynamic size and can prolong circulation in model systems (literature context).

• Glutamic acid headgroup (biochemistry context)

  • Glutamate is a proteinogenic amino acid with side-chain carboxylate functionality; in biomolecules, its carboxyl groups confer negative charge at neutral pH (pKa values ~2.1 and ~4.1 for α- and γ-carboxyls, literature). In conjugation reagents, availability of these groups enables amide formation with amines.

• Combined effect in conjugates (research perspective)

  • mPEG–Glu derivatives create hydrophilic, anionic or zwitterionic interfaces depending on ionization state and linkage, promoting colloidal stability of particles and reduced nonspecific binding.
  • The glutamate linkage can serve as a biodegradable spacer if designed with ester or enzymatically cleavable motifs (conceptual, design-dependent).

Actual biological behavior will depend strongly on molecular weight, end-group fidelity, degree of substitution, and the nature of the conjugated target; consult empirical data for the specific construct under study.

Buffer Applications

This item is not a conventional buffer reagent. However, its glutamic acid functionality and high aqueous solubility (typical for mPEG conjugates; literature) enable use in buffered coupling and formulation media.

• Practical guidance (general; not item-specific)

  • Conjugation-friendly buffers: Phosphate (pH 6.0–7.4), HEPES (pH 6.8–8.0), or MES (pH 5.0–6.5) are commonly used with EDC/NHS chemistry; avoid amine-containing buffers (e.g., Tris) during amide couplings.
  • pH considerations: Carboxyl activation (EDC/NHS) performs well near pH 5.0–6.0 to form the NHS ester; subsequent amine coupling is efficient around pH 7.0–7.5. Higher pH accelerates hydrolysis of activated esters.
  • Ionic strength: Moderate salt (50–150 mM) can aid solubility and reduce nonspecific interactions during bioconjugation steps.

• Viscosity/crowding

  • PEG segments can modestly increase solution viscosity and act as macromolecular crowding agents; adjust concentrations to maintain mixing and mass transfer, particularly with high-Mn materials.

For precise buffer recipes (pH, ionic strength) and compatibility with your specific bioconjugation strategy, validate empirically and consult the CoA/SDS for any product-specific restrictions.

Green Alternatives

Selection of hydrophilic spacers and solvents can markedly influence the environmental footprint of conjugation workflows.

• Greener choices within the same function (context)

  • Solvents: Replace DMF/DCM with water-rich media, acetone, 2-MeTHF, or dimethyl carbonate where compatible with coupling chemistry (literature). For carbodiimide couplings, buffered aqueous systems with sulfo-NHS can reduce organic solvent usage.
  • Activation strategies: Enzymatic ligations (e.g., microbial transglutaminase with glutamine-bearing partners) can replace carbodiimides in some constructs, operating in water at mild pH.
  • Alternative hydrophilic polymers: Polyglycerol, dextran, hyaluronan, or zwitterionic polymers offer renewable/biogenic options with distinct biodegradability profiles. Trade-offs include different dispersity, reactivity, and regulatory familiarity.

• Comparison highlights (general; not product-specific)

  • mPEG–Glu vs PEG without amino-acid headgroups: Amino-acid linkers introduce biodegradability via amide/ester bonds, potentially enabling benign degradation paths, but may require protecting-group strategies and can be moisture sensitive when activated.
  • Aqueous EDC/sulfo-NHS vs DIC/NHS in DCM: Aqueous protocols reduce VOC emissions and hazard; however, they increase hydrolysis of O-acylisourea/active esters and may lower coupling yields without careful pH control.

• Practical steps

  • Employ micro-scale solvent screening to maximize water content.
  • Recycle polar aprotics via in-house solvent recovery where policy allows.
  • Choose coupling reagents with safer profiles (e.g., DMTMM in water) to minimize urea waste from carbodiimides.

Pharmaceutical Uses

No clinical or therapeutic claims are made. The following describes common research/formulation roles for related materials.

• Excipient and materials roles (general; not item-specific)

  • PEGylating spacer: Installation of an mPEG–glutamate segment onto APIs, peptides, or biologics in research can modulate solubility, aggregation, and processability.
  • Nanocarrier surface modifier: Provides a hydrophilic corona on liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and inorganic particles to improve colloidal stability during development and analytical studies.
  • Depot/formulation research: PEG–amino-acid linkers can be incorporated into pro-moieties or polymer matrices to tune degradation (design-dependent) for preclinical formulation exploration.

• Regulatory context (informational)

  • PEGs and certain PEG derivatives appear in pharmacopeial monographs; however, specific PEG–amino-acid conjugates typically do not. Endotoxin/bioburden, residual solvent, and impurity control are critical when materials are used in research supporting regulated development.

• Practical considerations

  • Confirm molecular weight distribution, end-group identity, and residual profiles via CoA before use in formulation research.
  • Assess excipient compatibility (buffers, salts, surfactants) through small-scale stress testing (freeze–thaw, agitation, thermal).

For any use in drug development workflows, align material specifications with internal quality requirements and applicable guidance.

Physical Properties

Item-specific physico-chemical specifications are not provided in the Product Data.

• Item-specific values

  • Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (PEG materials are commonly offered at nominal Mn values with a distribution.)
  • Melting point, boiling point, density, refractive index, UV cut-off, residuals: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• General/literature characteristics for mPEG conjugates (for context; not item specifications)

  • Physical state: Depending on PEG chain length, mPEG conjugates range from viscous oils (low Mn) to waxy/solid materials (higher Mn). They soften over a broad range rather than having a sharp melting point.
  • Solubility: High solubility/miscibility in water and many polar organic solvents (e.g., alcohols, DMF, DMSO); limited solubility in nonpolar hydrocarbons (literature).
  • Hygroscopicity: PEG end-functional materials are typically hygroscopic and readily hydrate; water content can impact coupling efficiency.
  • pKa context: Free glutamic acid carboxyl groups exhibit pKa values ~2.1 (α-CO2H) and ~4.1 (γ-CO2H); the α-NH3+ pKa ~9.5 (literature for the amino acid). Actual ionization in a PEG conjugate depends on linkage and protection.

Always rely on the CoA/SDS for definitive, lot-specific physical data before designing processes.

Quality & Grades

• Item-specific grade/purity: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Considerations specific to mPEG–amino-acid materials (general guidance)

  • End-group fidelity: The functional end-group identity and conversion (>95–99%) are critical for efficient bioconjugation. Verify by NMR and end-group titration (CoA should report).
  • Molecular weight and dispersity: PEGs are characterized by a nominal number-average molecular weight (Mn) and polydispersity (Đ). Application performance (e.g., solubility, pharmacokinetic research) depends on Mn and Đ.
  • Residuals and impurities: Trace solvents (e.g., toluene, DMF), monomer/oligomer content, catalysts, salts, and bioburden/endotoxin (if relevant) can affect sensitive applications. Low UV background and low metal content are desirable for analytical and catalytic workflows. Item-specific limits: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Stabilizers: PEGs are generally supplied without added stabilizers; if the glutamate is present as an activated ester (e.g., NHS), stabilizers/desiccants may be used. For this item, stabilizers: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• What the grade implies (examples, literature)

  • Research grade: Suitable for general laboratory synthesis and materials research.
  • Bioconjugation/Ultra-pure grades: Tight control of endotoxin, bioburden, and residual solvents; higher end-group conversion; recommended for protein/peptide conjugation workflows.

Confirm the exact grade and test suite on the lot-specific CoA.

Reaction & Applications

This reagent serves as a PEGylated, amino-acid-based handle enabling hydrophilic modification and conjugation in materials and chemical biology research.

• Representative application spaces (general; expand as relevant)

  • Bioconjugation: Formation of amide bonds between glutamate carboxyl(s) and primary amines on peptides, proteins, or surfaces to install a stealth mPEG corona and tune hydrodynamics.
  • Materials & nanotechnology: Surface functionalization of nanoparticles, liposomes, and hydrogels to enhance colloidal stability and reduce nonspecific interactions.
  • Prodrug/linker design (research): Glutamate provides a biodegradable spacer; ester/amide linkages can be engineered for pH- or enzyme-responsive release (literature concept; design-dependent).
  • Polymer chemistry: Acts as a hydrophilic macro-monomer or chain end for block copolymer assembly (via further coupling/polymer-analogous reactions).

• Typical transformations and toolbox (literature guidance)

  • Carbodiimide-mediated couplings: EDC or DIC with NHS or sulfo-NHS to activate carboxyls; amide formation with nucleophilic amines in DMF/H2O at pH 5.0–7.5.
  • Active ester approaches: Preformed NHS esters of the glutamate carboxyl accelerate bioconjugations at neutral pH, minimizing hydrolysis.
  • Click augmentation: If orthogonal handles are introduced (e.g., azide/alkyne on partner), mPEG–Glu can be part of multi-step constructs.

• Practical tips

  • Control water content; PEGs are hygroscopic and water accelerates hydrolysis of activated esters.
  • Verify which glutamate function(s) are free/available; linkage patterns vary across products. Consult the CoA for end-group mapping.
  • Use stoichiometric excess of coupling partner to drive conversions with high-Mn PEGs due to diffusional constraints.

Reaction Conditions

The following are general literature conditions for couplings involving PEG–carboxyl reagents; they are guidance only and not specifications for this item.

• EDC/NHS-mediated amide coupling (aqueous-compatible)

  • Solvent: PBS, MES, or HEPES buffers; optional 10–30% DMF or DMSO cosolvent for solubility.
  • pH: 5.0–6.0 for NHS ester formation; adjust to 7.0–7.5 upon addition of amine nucleophile.
  • Temperature/time: 4–25°C; 0.5–4 h activation; 1–16 h coupling. Monitor for hydrolysis; use excess amine (2–10 eq vs COOH for high-Mn PEGs).
  • Additives: Sulfo-NHS for improved aqueous solubility; base (e.g., DIPEA) in organic-rich media to maintain amine nucleophilicity.

• DMTMM coupling (water-friendly alternative)

  • Solvent: Water or water/MeOH, water/DMF.
  • pH: 7–8.
  • Temperature/time: RT; 1–6 h typical. Reduced urea byproducts vs carbodiimides.

• Anhydrous mixed-anhydride route (small-molecule contexts)

  • Solvent: Dry DMF, DCM, or THF under argon.
  • Base: Triethylamine or DIPEA.
  • Temperature: 0–25°C for activation; then 25–50°C for coupling as needed.

• Workup/purification

  • Remove reagents by dialysis (appropriate MWCO), ultrafiltration, or precipitation (e.g., cold Et2O/MeOH) depending on PEG Mn and target.

Optimize equivalents and times based on PEG molecular weight, end-group loading, and the reactivity of your nucleophile. Verify functional group availability from the CoA before planning.

Safety & Handling

• Item-specific GHS information

  • Signal word: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
  • Hazard statements (H-codes): Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
  • GHS classification and pictograms: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.

• General laboratory precautions for PEGylated amino-acid reagents (context; not item-specific)

  • Avoid inhalation of dusts/particulates and contact with eyes/skin. PEG materials can be slippery when spilled.
  • Use appropriate PPE: lab coat, safety glasses, and suitable gloves (e.g., nitrile). Handle powders in a fume hood or ventilated enclosure.
  • Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers can degrade polyethers; strong acids/bases and elevated temperatures may hydrolyze ester linkages (if present). Moisture can hydrolyze activated esters if the product is supplied in an activated form.
  • First aid (overview): In case of eye/skin contact, rinse with water; if inhaled, move to fresh air; if ingested, rinse mouth. Seek medical attention according to SDS guidance.
  • Thermal decomposition: Heating may generate irritating vapors and low-molecular-weight fragments.

• Housekeeping & waste

  • Prevent release to drains in significant quantities. Collect polymeric waste in appropriate containers; dispose per institutional and local regulations.

Always consult the product-specific SDS for authoritative hazard, exposure limits, and emergency procedures.

Solvent Selection

mPEG–Glutamic Acid is a hydrophilic, polymer-based conjugation reagent; solvent choice is driven by PEG chain length, the presence/absence of protecting groups, and the planned coupling chemistry.

• General polarity/miscibility profile (literature; not item-specific)

  • Highly miscible with water and polar organics (MeOH, EtOH, isopropanol, acetone, acetonitrile, DMF, DMSO).
  • Limited solubility in nonpolar solvents (hexanes, cyclohexane). Moderate solubility in chlorinated solvents varies with Mn.

• Practical solvent choices by application

  • Amide couplings to amines: Aqueous-organic mixtures (e.g., DMF/H2O, DMSO/H2O, or pure DMF) at pH 5.0–7.5 when using carbodiimides or NHS esters (literature).
  • Esterification or acylation: Anhydrous polar aprotics (DMF, DCM, THF) with molecular sieves or under argon to suppress hydrolysis.
  • Protein/peptide conjugation: Buffered saline (e.g., phosphate, HEPES) with 10–30% DMF/DMSO cosolvent to maintain solubility while preserving biomolecule structure.

• Small comparison (context)

  • Water vs DMF: Water is preferred for bioconjugations; DMF offers higher solubility and is useful for pre-activation and small-molecule couplings.
  • DMSO vs MeOH/EtOH: DMSO maximizes solubility for high-Mn PEGs; alcohols are convenient but can participate in side reactions with activated carboxyls.

Use dry, oxygen-free solvents when long stability or sensitive activations are required; align with the product’s storage recommendation (argon, –20°C).

Storage & Reconstitution

• Item-specific storage and shipping (from Product Data)

  • Storage conditions: Store at −20°C, argon charged.
  • Shipping: Ice chest + ice pads.

• General handling guidance for mPEG conjugates (context; not item-specific specifications)

  • Protect from moisture and air: PEG end-functional materials are hygroscopic; store tightly sealed under inert gas with desiccant. Allow vials to equilibrate to room temperature in a sealed container before opening to prevent condensation.
  • Light/temperature: Room-temperature working times are acceptable, but minimize prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, especially if the glutamate is present as or converted to an activated ester.

• Reconstitution tips

  • Solvents: Water, PBS, or suitable polar organics (DMF, DMSO) depending on your application. Filter (0.22 μm) if sterility is required for bioconjugation workflows.
  • Concentration: Prepare concentrated stock solutions (e.g., 10–100 mg/mL) to minimize freeze–thaw; actual solubility depends on PEG Mn and formulation. Validate empirically.
  • Storage of solutions: For short-term use, store at 2–8°C. For longer-term storage, aliquot and freeze at −20°C under inert atmosphere. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.

• Stability notes

  • Activated carboxyl derivatives (e.g., NHS esters) are moisture sensitive and should be prepared or opened immediately before use. For this item, activation state: Not specified; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Always follow the lot-specific CoA/SDS for definitive instructions.

Structure & Identity

mPEG Glutamic Acid is a PEGylated amino-acid derivative in which a monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) chain is covalently linked to a glutamic acid moiety, furnishing a water-soluble, amphiphilic building block for conjugation chemistry.

• Item-specific identifiers

  • CAS: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular formula: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (Note: mPEG materials typically have a nominal Mn with a distribution.)
  • SMILES / InChI / InChIKey: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Structural features (general/literature description)

  • Backbone: Repeating ethylene glycol units –(CH2–CH2–O)–n terminated with a methoxy group at one end (mPEG).
  • Conjugated headgroup: A glutamic acid residue providing amino/carboxyl functional chemistry; depending on design, one or more of the glutamate functions are available for coupling (literature; end-group definition should be confirmed on the CoA).
  • Topology: Linear polymer with a single functional terminus; polymeric dispersity (Đ > 1) is typical for PEG (literature).

• 2D description in words (general)

  • A long, flexible ether chain capped by –OCH3 at one end and tethered through an amide/ester linker (design-dependent) to a glutamic acid framework bearing side-chain –CH2–CH2–CO2H and α-amine/α-carboxyl functionality. The exact linkage pattern and protecting groups, if any, should be verified on the product’s specification sheet.

Synthetic Utility

mPEG Glutamic Acid is a modular hydrophilic building block that brings amino-acid chemistry to a PEG terminus, enabling selective, orthogonal ligations and surface modifications.

• Functional group leverage (general; verify with CoA)

  • Carboxyl groups (from glutamate): Amenable to activation (EDC/DIC, CDI, DMTMM) for amide bond formation with primary amines on biomolecules, polymers, or surfaces.
  • Amine handle (if present/unprotected): Can be acylated, succinylated, or used for urea/carbamate formation; protection strategies (Boc, Fmoc) may be needed depending on product design. Availability in this item: Not specified; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • PEG hydroxyl (internal chain end is methoxy-capped; opposite end typically non-nucleophilic), reducing side reactions.

• Named/typical methods (literature)

  • Carbodiimide/NHS chemistry for aqueous-compatible couplings.
  • Mixed anhydride or acid chloride routes in anhydrous media for small-molecule assembly (if compatible with the linkage).
  • Solid-support immobilization via amide coupling to amine-functional resins or surfaces to generate PEGylated interfaces.

• Retrosynthetic value

  • Serves as a hydrophilic synthon to append PEG chains late in synthesis, improving solubility/handling of otherwise lipophilic intermediates.

• Practical notes

  • Confirm which glutamate carboxyl (α vs γ) is free/activated; regioselectivity impacts downstream functionality and biodegradation.
  • With high-Mn PEGs, employ excess of small-molecule coupling partners and extended reaction times to overcome diffusional limits.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. This product is a chemical/polymer conjugation reagent and does not possess antigen/epitope specificity, clone identity, or species reactivity attributes. For application relevance, see Reaction & Applications and Synthetic Utility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should this product be stored?

Store at ?20 °C under argon. It is supplied under an argon blanket; reseal under inert gas after each use.

How is this product shipped?

This product ships in an insulated container with ice pads. Unpack on arrival and transfer it to the storage condition stated above.

What documentation is provided?

Available product documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and specification sheets, is shown in the product document area. Document availability and access follow the current site policy.