Supramolecular dynamics as origin for thermally induced insoluble-to-soluble-to-insoluble transitions of copolymers in water.

The synthesis of cationic mono-(6-O-(1-vinylimidazolium))-ß-cyclodextrin with toluenesulfonate as the corresponding anion is described. Free-radical copolymerization of the resulting host-guest complex with N-isopropylacrylamide or N,N-diethylacrylamide yielded copolymers showing a temperature-controlled solubility window in water. The impact of different anionic guests and salt concentrations on solubility behavior was investigated via turbidity measurements.