Multisensitive polymers based on 2-vinylpyridine and N-isopropylacrylamide

Poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) containing functionalized end groups was synthesized using nitroxyl-mediated radical polymerization with a hydroxy-functionalized stable free radical. It was shown that P2VP could be synthesized with variable molar masses and low polydispersities. The transformation of the hydroxy groups to an acrylic ester led to the formation of macromonomers. A free-radical copolymerization of these macromonomers with N-isopropylacrylamide gave a graft copolymer with a poly(N-ispopropylacrylamide) backbone and P2VP side chains. Polymers containing different amounts of the monomers were synthesized. It was possible to vary both the amount of P2VP side chains at a constant chain length of the macromonomer and the chain length at a nearly constant chain number. The behavior of the multifunctional macromolecules at different temperatures and pH values was investigated using dynamic light scattering and DSC. The macromolecules were found to retain the specific properties of the homopolymers. The hydrodynamic radii of the synthesized graft copolymers were both dependent on the temperature and pH value. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.