Benzyl-PEG7-alcohol is a PEG chain containing a benzyl protecing group and a primary alcohol group. The benzyl is an alcohol protecting group and can be removed via hydrogenolysis. The alcohol group can be reacted to further derivatize the compound. The hydrophilic PEG chains increase the water solubility of the compound in aqueous media. Longer PEG chains have better water solubility properties relative to shorter PEG chains.