Hydroxy-PEG4-acid sodium salt is a PEG linker containing a hydroxyl group with a terminal carboxylic acid. The acid form of hydroxy-PEG4-acid is not stable, with polymerization occurring within a few days. The sodium salt form is relatively stable for storage and can be used as a replacement of the acid form. The terminal carboxylic acid can be reacted with primary amine groups in the presence of activators (e.g. EDC, or DCC) to form a stable amide bond. The hydrophilic PEG spacer increases solubility in aqueous media. The hydroxyl group enables further derivatization or replacement with other reactive functional groups.