A versatile stable platform for multifunctional applications: synthesis of a nitroDOPA-PEO-alkyne scaffold for iron oxide nanoparticles.

Contemporary magnetic nanoparticle composites are individually designed for specific biomedical applications. We describe the syntheses and characterization of a heterobifunctional polyethylene oxide (PEO) using nitroDOPA as a robust anchoring group on one end and an alkyne as the reactive surface for additional application specific modification.