Propylbenzmethylation at Val-1(α) markedly increases the tetramer stability of the PEGylated hemoglobin: A comparison with propylation at Val-1(α)

► Propylbenzmethylation at Val-1(α) enhances the tetramer stability of PEG-Hb. ► Propylbenzmethylation at Val-1(α) stabilizes the structure of PEG-Hb. ► Propylbenzmethylation at Val-1(α) decreases the side effect of PEG-Hb.