PEGYLATED · PH-RESPONSIVE COMB COPOLYMER
Poly(4VP-co-PEGMA)
Also known as P(4VP-co-PEGMA), 4VP-PEGMA copolymer | Custom composition — no single CAS
A random comb copolymer of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) and PEGMA (poly/oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) on one backbone. The pyridine units add a pH-responsive, quaternizable handle; the PEGMA units graft a dense, non-ionic PEG brush that sterically shields the chain from protein and cell adhesion — the same “stealth” mechanism used in PEGylated drug carriers. Tuning the 4VP:PEGMA ratio and PEG side-chain length sets the balance between responsiveness and stealth coverage.
- Custom 4VP:PEGMA ratio, multiple PEG chain lengths
Custom composition
(C₇H₇N)ₘ-co-[C₅H₈O₂-(C₂H₄O)ₓ-OCH₃]ₙ
Poly(4VP-co-PEGMA)
Appearance: White to off-white powder
Character: pH-responsive + PEG stealth
Architecture: Random comb copolymer
Storage: 2–8 °C, sealed, dry
ISO 9001:2015
Manufactured under certified quality management
Custom 4VP:PEGMA Ratio
Synthesized to order, multiple PEG side-chain lengths
Batch-Level COA
Mn, Đ, and composition confirmation per lot
Sample to Bulk
Gram-scale R&D up to bulk supply
CAS NO.
Composition-dependent
MOLECULAR FORMULA
(C₇H₇N)ₘ-co-[C₅H₈O₂-(C₂H₄O)ₓ-OCH₃]ₙ
CHARACTER
PEG stealth + pH-responsive
MN RANGE
10K – 200K
FORM
Powder
Why two monomers on one chain
4VP and PEGMA contribute two independent, complementary behaviors to the same backbone — one that switches with pH, one that just shields.
pH-triggered protonation (4VP)
Below its apparent pKa (~4–5), the pyridine N picks up a proton and that unit becomes cationic; above it, the unit is neutral and hydrophobic.
Non-ionic PEG brush (PEGMA)
The grafted PEG side chains hydrate and sterically shield the backbone from protein and cell approach — a "stealth" effect that doesn't depend on charge or pH at all.
Ratio + PEG length set the balance
A pyridine-rich feed favors responsiveness and functionalization; a PEGMA-rich feed (and longer PEG side chains) favors stealth coverage and steric antifouling.
Quaternizable handle
The pyridine N can be alkylated post-polymerization to add permanent cationic charge — a common route to PEGylated polycations for gene-delivery polyplexes.
Unlike the zwitterionic route to antifouling (charge-balanced hydration at every pH), PEGMA works by steric brush shielding — it resists fouling by physically occupying the surface, not by electrostatics, which is why PEG-rich grades stay non-fouling even at pH extremes where the pyridine units are fully protonated.
Values below are representative for this monomer pair. Batch-specific COAs with GPC and composition data are available on request.
Chemical Name | Poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | P(4VP-co-PEGMA) · 4VP-PEGMA copolymer · Poly(4VP-r-PEGMA) · PEGylated pyridine copolymer |
| Monomer Units | 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) · PEGMA (mono-methoxy PEG methacrylate / OEGMA) |
| Architecture | Random comb (graft-through) copolymer — not block |
| 4VP : PEGMA Ratio | Custom / composition-dependent — commonly 90:10 to 30:70 mol% |
| PEG Side-Chain Mn | Typical macromonomer options: ~200, 300, 500, 950 g/mol (custom on request) |
| CAS Number | Not applicable — composition-specific random copolymers are not assigned a single CAS RN |
| Molecular Weight (Mn) | Custom synthesis, typically 10,000–200,000 g/mol |
| Dispersity (Đ) | 1.1–1.3 (RAFT/ATRP) · broader for free-radical routes |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder, wax, or film-forming solid depending on PEG content |
| Solubility | Water, methanol, and THF (PEGMA-rich); acidic aqueous media and lower alcohols (4VP-rich) |
| Key Functional Groups | Pyridine (basic, quaternizable) · non-ionic PEG ether side chain, methoxy-capped |
| Storage Conditions | Sealed, dry, 2–8 °C, protected from light |
Need a specific 4VP:PEGMA ratio, PEG chain length, or a narrow-dispersity grade? Talk to technical sales →
Choose the ratio that fits your process
4VP:PEGMA feed ratio and PEG side-chain length set where the copolymer sits between pH-responsiveness and stealth coverage.
4VP : PEGMA ≈ 90:10
Pyridine-rich
Strongest pH-responsiveness and the most available pyridine N for quaternization, metal coordination, or polyplex formation.
4VP : PEGMA ≈ 50:50
Balanced
Real charge switching alongside meaningful steric shielding — a common starting point for micelle and coating work.
4VP : PEGMA ≈ 30:70
PEGMA-rich
Dense PEG brush for maximum stealth coverage and protein resistance, with a light pH-responsive handle retained.
Applications
Stealth nanoparticle coatings
PEG brush shielding reduces opsonization and extends circulation time for drug-carrier nanoparticles.
Gene delivery polyplexes
Quaternized pyridine units condense nucleic acids while the PEG corona limits aggregation and nonspecific uptake.
pH-responsive drug delivery
Protonatable pyridine units give micelles and nanoparticles pH-triggered swelling, disassembly, or cargo release.
Antifouling membranes
Surface-segregated PEG side chains reduce protein and biofilm fouling in filtration and dialysis membranes.
Layer-by-layer assembly
Protonated or quaternized pyridine units serve as the cationic layer, with PEG limiting nonspecific overcoating.
Biosensor interfaces
A hydrated PEG background lowers nonspecific binding while pyridine sites anchor metal ions or bioconjugation chemistry.
Thermoresponsive materials
Short-EG-chain PEGMA compositions can exhibit tunable cloud-point behavior layered on top of the pH response.
Hydrogel networks
PEG side chains contribute hydrophilicity and biocompatibility to crosslinked pH-responsive hydrogel formulations.
Data & safety documents
Batch-specific COAs with GPC and composition (¹H-NMR) data available for order confirmations. Contact us for a specific lot number.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format · EN / ZH
Certificate of Analysis
Latest batch
¹H-NMR Spectrum
Composition confirmation (4VP:PEGMA)
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
It’s primarily used to build PEGylated, low-fouling materials — stealth nanoparticle coatings, gene-delivery polyplexes, drug-delivery micelles, and antifouling membranes — where the PEGMA units provide steric shielding and the 4VP units add a tunable, pH-responsive or quaternizable handle.
4VP is a small, basic pyridine ring: neutral at high pH, protonated (cationic) at low pH, and permanently quaternizable with alkyl halides. PEGMA is a non-ionic macromonomer that grafts a flexible, hydrated PEG side chain onto every repeat unit — it resists fouling through steric shielding rather than through charge.
It can be, depending on the PEG side-chain length used. Short-EG-chain PEGMA (e.g. diethylene or triethylene glycol methacrylate) copolymers often show a tunable lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type cloud point in water; longer PEG chains generally stay water-soluble across a wider temperature range. Specify your target behavior when requesting a grade.
Yes. Alkylating the pyridine nitrogen converts 4VP units into permanently cationic pyridinium groups capable of condensing nucleic acids into polyplexes, while the PEGMA units form a shielding corona around the resulting complex — a common design pattern for PEGylated polycation gene-delivery vectors.
PEGMA macromonomers are typically supplied with side-chain Mn around 200, 300, 500, or 950 g/mol; shorter chains favor thermoresponsive behavior and denser packing, while longer chains favor maximum steric stealth coverage. Custom lengths can be discussed with technical sales.
This copolymer uses a “grafting-through” approach — the PEG macromonomer is polymerized directly into the backbone, giving a dense, evenly distributed PEG brush with predictable graft density. Post-polymerization (“grafting-to”) PEGylation instead attaches PEG chains to a pre-made backbone afterward, which typically gives lower and less uniform PEG coverage.
No — composition-specific random copolymers like this one are not assigned a single CAS Registry Number, since the 4VP:PEGMA ratio, PEG chain length, Mn, and dispersity are all set per synthesis batch. Each lot’s COA documents the actual composition.
Store sealed, dry, at 2–8 °C, and protected from light. PEG side chains are hygroscopic, so minimize exposure to humid air between uses to avoid water uptake affecting solution concentration.