Easy Silica Gel Supported Desymmetrization of PEG

Our work shows how poly(ethylene glycol), differentially functionalized at two ends, can be easily and efficiently synthesized from commercial symmetric dihydroxy PEG 600. First, we linked the polymer onto functionalized silica gel using one of its hydroxy ends. Then, the second hydroxy group was modified, and finally, the desymmetrized PEG was cleaved from the solid support.