Asymmetrically functionalized, four-armed, poly(ethylene glycol) compounds for construction of chemically functionalizable non-biofouling surfaces.

Asymmetrically functionalized, four-armed, Tween 20 derivatives that formed stable monomolecular films on solid substrates were designed and synthesized. Thiol-modified Tween 20 was used for forming self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold, and maleimide-modified Tween 20 was introduced onto SiO(2) surfaces with SAMs of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane through Michael addition. These structurally modified Tween 20 compounds gave the original characteristics of Tween 20, non-biofouling (from ethylene glycol groups) and functionalizable (from OH groups) properties, to each substrate. The non-biofouling properties of the Tween 20-coated gold and SiO(2) surfaces were investigated by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and ellipsometry, and these surfaces showed strong resistance against nonspecific adsorption of proteins. In addition, the biospecific binding of streptavidin was achieved after coupling of (+)-biotinyl-3,6,9-trioxaundecanediamine onto the non-biofouling surfaces through amide-bond formation.