Molecular recognition: polymers comprising isomeric meta-/ para-isopropylphenol and N-isopropylacrylamide and their supramolecular complexes with methylated β-cyclodextrin.

We describe the molecular recognition of polymeric attached isomers meta-isopropylphenol and para-isopropylphenol, respectively, in a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) by use of randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB-CD). The acrylic monomers 4- and 3-isopropylphenylacrylate were synthesized and radically copolymerized with NIPAAm yielding the corresponding polymers. The supramolecular structures resulting from complexation with RAMEB-CD were characterized using dynamic light scattering, turbidity, NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration. We found differences in binding constant, mean coil size and cloud point as a result of different complexations of the mentioned polymer-bound isomers with RAMEB-CD. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]