Synthesis of hydrophobically end‐capped poly(ethylene glycol)s with UV absorbing properties

Poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) with one, two or four hydrophobic end groups were prepared. Naphthyl (Nap) and phenyladamantyl (PhAd) modifiers were chosen to obtain UV absorbing PEGs. Naphthyl groups were attached to PEG ends by a one step esterification reaction, while phenyladamantyl modifiers were grafted through a tosyl intermediate.