PEG crosslinking agent for biotinylation. The biotinyl functionality is used to attach avidin or streptavidin containing substrates. This PEG linker with a maleimide endgroup is applied in sulfhydryl-selective coupling of PEG to proteins and other thiol substrates and for selective scavenging of thiol containing peptides. The maleimide group reacts at about neutral pH with free thiols via a Michael addition to form a stable thioether bond.