Patent ID: 7943783

Claim:
A compound of the formula: (A-) y -Q wherein each A is independently selected from the group consisting of functional groups of the following formulas: wherein: R 1 and R 2 together with a dicarboximide group to which they are attached form a four to eight membered heterocyclic or heterobicyclic group that can be fused to an optional aromatic group, optional saturated or unsaturated cyclic group, or optional saturated or unsaturated bicyclic group; R 3 is an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or —NR a R b wherein R a and R b are each an alkyl group or taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a four to eight membered heterocyclic group; R 4 and R 5 together with a dicarboximide group to which they are attached form a four to eight membered heterocyclic or heterobicyclic group that can be fused to an optional aromatic group, optional saturated or unsaturated cyclic group, or optional saturated or unsaturated bicyclic group; Y 1 and Y 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a) an alkylene group; or b) a first alkylene group connected to at least one other divalent group selected from the group consisting of a second alkylene, heteroalkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, carbonyl, carbonyloxy, carbonylimino, oxy, thio, —NR f where R f is hydrogen or alkyl, or combinations thereof; or c) a heteroalkylene group; or d) a first heteroalkylene group connected to at least one other divalent group selected from the group consisting of an alkylene, second heteroalkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, carbonyl, carbonyloxy, carbonylimino, oxy, thio, —NR f where R f is hydrogen or alkyl, or combinations thereof; or e) an arylene group connected to at least on other divalent group selected from the group consisting of an alkylene, heteroalkylene, heteroarylene, carbonyl, carbonyloxy, carbonylimino, oxy, thio, —NR f where R f is hydrogen or alkyl, or combinations thereof; Q is a single bond, a single atom having a valency equal to y, or a group having a valency equal to y, the group consisting of a carbonyl, alkylene, alkanetriyl, heteroalkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, alkylene-oxy-alkylene, alkylene-carbonyl-alkylene, or combinations thereof; and y is an integer of 2 to 10; with the proviso that Q, Y 1 , and Y 2 are free of disulfide groups.