Synthesis of a novel linear water-soluble β-cyclodextrin polymer

A novel linear water-soluble beta-cyclodextrin polymer has been prepared by grafting beta-cyclodextrin on poly[(methyl vinyl ether)-alt-(maleic anhydride)]. First, lithium hydride was used to obtain the mono-alkoxide beta-CD. Grafting of beta-CD derivatives to the polymer backbone was then carried out by an esterification method. Using this method, polymers containing various amounts of beta-CD were synthesized. The resulting grafted polymers were characterized by two complementary methods, H-1 NMR and IR spectroscopy. The first was used to calculate the degree of substitution for the low amounts of beta-CD. The second method was very useful to evaluate the degree of substitution and the molar ratio of CD especially for high amounts of grafting. Our results indicate good agreement between both methods for intermediate rates. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.