Synthesis and Characterization of Physical Crosslinking Systems Based on Cyclodextrin Inclusion/Host-Guest Complexation

New supramolecular assemblies based on cyclodextrin and adamantane were prepared. Two methacrylate monomers bearing cyclodextrin and adamantane were synthesized, and copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, (PEGMA, 300 g/mol), by free radical polymerization. Copolymers bearing pendent cyclodextrin and adamantane were characterized by NMR, FTIR, TGA, SEC, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and UV-visible spectrophotometer. All copolymers showed two distinct glass transitions. The specific interaction between pendent adamantyl and cyclodextrin was examined by H-1-NMR. The viscoelastic properties of supramolecular assemblies were investigated with frequency and temperature sweep experiments. The specific host-guest interaction between pendent adamantyl and cyclodextrin lead to large increases of the viscosity; and depending on the concentration of these groups, also to gel formation. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 581-592, 2010