HOOCCH2O-PEG4-CH2CH2COOtBu

t-butyl ester-PEG5-CH2COOH is a PEG linker containing a t-butyl protected carboxyl group with a terminal carboxylic acid. The terminal carboxylic acid can react with primary amine groups in the presence of activators (e.g. EDC, or HATU) to form a stable amide bond. The hydrophilic PEG spacer increases solubility in aqueous media. The t-butyl protected carboxyl group can be deprotected under acidic conditions.