This study outlines the synthetic and purification process used to obtain hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) within a molecular weight range not previously obtainable. Purified fractions with low polydispersity are achieved via successive precipitations from acetone. Furthermore, the use of the initiator molecule 5-hexyne-1-ol introduces alkyne functionality at the core of each HPG molecule. Alkyne-azide cycloaddition chemistry in combination with NMR and field flow fractionation analysis is used to verify the availability of the alkyne core for bioconjugation across the range of molecular weights.
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics , 2016, 217 2252-2261.