Free radical terpolymerization of (N,N)-dimethylacrylamide, ethylene-glycol-dimethacrylate and N-(p- or m-ethyl-phenyl)acrylamide leads to para- and meta-ethyl-phenyl-modified hydrophilic polymer networks. Polymeric networks of different molar ratios are prepared in special molds to give water swellable disc- shaped samples. The swelling behavior in water and aqueous cyclodextrin (CD) solution of the obtained samples is described while a distinctive differentiation between the para- and meta-ethyl-phenyl containing networks in CD solution can be found.

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