α‑Hydroxyl‑ω‑Maleimide‑poly(D,L‑lactide) (PDLLA‑Mal, MW 5K) is linear, mono‑maleimide‑terminated fully amorphous biodegradable aliphatic polyester. D‑lactide and L‑lactide repeat units are randomly distributed along polymer backbone, disrupting stereoregularity and eliminating crystalline domains. Compared with higher‑molecular‑weight PDLLA‑Mal analogues, this 5 kDa grade exhibits moderate hydrophobicity and relatively fast, homogeneous hydrolytic degradation. One polymer terminus carries thiol‑reactive maleimide group, the opposite end retains inert hydroxyl (‑OH). Maleimide can selectively covalently conjugate with free thiol (‑SH) groups of peptides, proteins, antibodies and thiolated ligands under mild aqueous conditions to form stable thioether bonds. It acts as monofunctional macromonomer for nanoparticle surface modification, thiol‑mediated bioconjugation and targeted drug‑delivery biomedical research。
Key Features
- MW: 5000 Da, linear α‑hydroxyl‑ω‑maleimide‑terminated poly(D,L‑lactide)
- Fully amorphous non‑crystalline structure, random D/L‑lactide sequence, no melting point
- Moderate hydrophobicity, relatively fast and uniform hydrolytic degradation versus higher‑MW PDLLA‑Mal
- Excellent biocompatibility; degradation produces non‑toxic lactic‑acid metabolites
- Single terminal maleimide group; selective reaction with free thiol groups to form stable thioether linkage; opposite polymer end is inert hydroxyl ‑OH
- Narrow molecular‑weight distribution, stable batch‑to‑batch reproducibility; high terminal functional group ratio
- Soluble in DCM, CHCl₃, THF, DMF, acetone; insoluble in water
- Maleimide group susceptible to hydrolysis; avoid moisture, prolonged exposure to alkaline environment and high‑temperature conditions
Applications
- Monofunctional building block for thiol‑mediated bioconjugation with thiol‑containing peptides, antibodies, proteins and aptamers
- Maleimide‑functional surface modification of PDLLA‑based nanoparticles and microspheres for controlled‑release research
- Fabrication of actively‑targeted biodegradable polymeric carriers via thiol‑maleimide coupling chemistry
- Research‑grade raw material for surface engineering of polyester biomaterials
Handling & Storage
- Store at −20 °C under dry inert nitrogen or argon atmosphere; strictly moisture‑proof
- Keep hermetically sealed; moisture and alkaline conditions accelerate maleimide hydrolysis; avoid repeated freeze‑thaw cycles
- For research‑only use; not intended for clinical or diagnostic applications
AxisPharm offers 5000+ PEG Linkers with high purity. Different kinds of PEG Reagents may be available by custom synthesis.