Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Open Access Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemistry (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Chemistry
Advisor 1
Shiyue Fang
Committee Member 1
Rudy Luck
Committee Member 2
Marina Tanasova
Committee Member 3
Tarun Dam
Abstract
Stepwise synthesis of monodisperse polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives usually involves using an acid-labile protecting group such as DMTr and coupling two PEG moieties together under the basic Williamson ether formation conditions. Using this approach, each elongation of PEG is achieved in three steps – deprotection, deprotonation, and coupling – in two pots. Here, we report a more convenient approach for PEG synthesis featuring the use of a base-labile protecting group such as the phenethyl group. Using this approach, each elongation of PEG can be achieved in only two steps – deprotection and coupling – in one pot. The deprotonation step and the isolation and purification of the intermediate product after deprotection using existing approaches are not needed when the new one-pot approach is used. Because stepwise PEG synthesis usually requires multiple PEG elongation cycles, the new PEG synthesis method is expected to significantly lower PEG synthesis cost and reduce the use of harmful solvents and other chemicals.
Recommended Citation
Mikesell, Logan D., "BASE-LABILE PROTECTING GROUPS FOR STEPWISE PEG SYNTHESIS", Open Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2021.