Abstract: Heterofunctional polyethylene glycol or polyethylene oxide, represented by one of the following formula (I) to (IV): wherein: m is an integer from 5 to 10,000; n is an integer from 1 to 20; each R is independently an organic substituent, preferably an hydrocarbon substituent that preferably comprises at least one heteroatom, each A is independently an alkyl, a substituted alkyl group or an hydrogen atom, and the salts thereof.