Adsorbed surfactants for affinity chromatography: end-group modification of ethylene glycol polymers

The hydroxyl end-groups of Pluronic®F108 {a tri-block copolymer surfactant of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) [PEG-PPG-PEG]} were converted into primary amine and quaternary ammonium equivalents for use in a new approach to affinity chromatography. The preparation of sulphonic acid end-groups was also attempted. Ligands were attached to Pluronic®F108 and the adduct adsorbed onto a membrane surface, providing a system that was used to extract albumin from sheep serum.