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Year:: 2023
Contributor:: Ainsley R Baker (creator); Basu, Amit (thesis advisor); Brown University. Chemistry (sponsor)
Genre:: theses
Subject:: Polyethylene glycol; Crown ethers; CH-π; π-interactions; Aromatic compounds

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Abstract:: We report the preliminary evidence of a novel CH-π interaction between polyethylene glycol and aromatic compounds as well as crown ethers and aromatic compounds. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), an extensively common ether polymer found in a variety of products, has recently taken up the public spotlight as the allergenic component of the Pfizer and Moderna SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. PEG hypersensitivities remain under-diagnosed, and the immunogenicity of PEG has not yet been completely demystified. From previous investigations, an increased incidence of non-hydrogen bonding aromatic residue contacts in the anti-PEG antibody antigen-binding site provokes a question of a potentially new aromatic-PEG interaction. Similarly to the discovery and characterization of the CH-π interactions that are critical to carbohydrate binding by proteins, 1H NMR is utilized to observe the upfield change in chemical shift of the participating PEG-CH hydrogens in the presence of amino acid-derived aromatic compounds. The data shows that polyethylene glycol and crown ether both show significant upfield shifting of interior hydrogens in the presence of these aromatic compounds. Though further studies are required to flesh out the entire character of these interactions, these preliminary results suggest a previously unconsidered intermolecular force with potential importance regarding PEG immunogenicity.
Notes:: Senior thesis (ScB)--Brown University, 2023; Concentration: Chemistry (Chemical Biology)

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Use and Reproduction: All rights reserved
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Citation

Ainsley R Baker, "Novel CH-π Interactions of Polyethylene Glycols and Crown Ethers with Biological Aromatic Compounds" (2023). Chemistry Theses and Dissertations. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:p97bdwgp/

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Chemistry Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations for the Chemistry department.
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Novel CH-π Interactions of Polyethylene Glycols and Crown Ethers with Biological Aromatic Compounds