Molecular Recognition: Influence of Para‐Versus‐Meta‐Substituted Phenyl Moieties on the Swelling Degree of Macroscopic Polymeric Gels in Aqueous Cyclodextrin Solutions

Abstract

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.

Chiral recognition of enantiomeric isobornyl methacrylate‐containing hydrogels with α‐cyclodextrin

“…According to our previous works, the swelling ratio should be enhanced by the addition of cyclodextrin via hydrophobic‐to‐hydrophilic transition . In addition to a simple increase in swelling, the networks containing the monomer with the higher affinity to the cyclodextrins should show a greater increase in solvent uptake.…”

“…According to our previous works, the swelling ratio should be enhanced by the addition of cyclodextrin via hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic transition. 1,2 In addition to a simple increase in swelling, the networks containing the monomer with the higher affinity to the cyclodextrins should show a greater increase in solvent uptake. The samples were examined regarding their swelling capability in water, methanolic (20, 50%) and ethanolic (20, 50%) solutions with and without the addition of cyclodextrins.…”

“…1 Furthermore we could demonstrate a molecular recognition between para-and meta-substituted phenyl moieties in hydrogels by cyclodextrin. 2 With the appropriate molecular design, the swelling of hydrogels is not only dependent on the crosslinking density, chemical structure and solvent composition, but also on supramolecular interactions -in these cases the formation of inclusion complexes between cyclodextrin and a potential guest which is covalently bound to the polymer network.…”