α‑Hydroxyl‑ω‑Maleimide‑poly(D,L‑lactide) (PDLLA‑Mal, MW 10K) 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 MW 5K PDLLA‑Mal, this 10 kDa variant exhibits higher hydrophobicity and markedly slower yet homogeneous hydrolytic degradation. One polymer terminus bears thiol‑reactive maleimide moiety, while the opposite terminus retains inert hydroxyl (‑OH). Maleimide can selectively covalently couple with free thiol (‑SH) groups of peptides, proteins, antibodies and thiolated targeting ligands under mild aqueous conditions to form stable thioether bonds. It serves as monofunctional macromonomer for nanoparticle surface engineering, thiol‑mediated bioconjugation and long‑acting targeted drug‑delivery biomedical research.
Key Features
- MW: 10000 Da, linear α‑hydroxyl‑ω‑maleimide‑terminated poly(D,L‑lactide)
- Fully amorphous non‑crystalline structure, random D/L‑lactide sequence, no melting point
- Higher hydrophobicity, slower and uniform hydrolytic degradation versus 5K PDLLA‑Mal
- Excellent biocompatibility; degradation produces non‑toxic lactic‑acid metabolites
- Single terminal maleimide group; selective conjugation with free thiols 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, hot acetone; insoluble in water
- Maleimide group prone to hydrolytic inactivation; avoid moisture, prolonged alkaline exposure 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 long‑term controlled‑release research
- Construction of actively‑targeted biodegradable polymeric carriers via thiol‑maleimide click‑coupling chemistry
- Research‑grade raw material for surface modification of high‑molecular‑weight polyester biomaterials
Handling & Storage
- Store at −20 °C under dry inert nitrogen or argon atmosphere; strictly moisture‑proof
- Keep hermetically sealed; moisture and alkaline surroundings 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.