. . . "In one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises of a reaction of a PEG with N,N???-disuccinimidyl oxalate (I) in the presence of a base catalyst to form compound III, as illustrated in SCHEME I. The base catalyst that is suitable for use in this and all following reactions with the oxalate or carbonate active esters includes organic bases such as pyridine and N, N???-4-dimethylami" . .