Competitive Molecular‐/Ion‐Recognition Responsive Characteristics of Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐benzo‐12‐crown‐4‐acrylamide) Copolymers with Benzo‐12‐crown‐4 as Both Guest and Host Units
1. School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065 China;2. Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002 China
Abstract:
Novel dual molecular‐ and ion‐recognition responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐benzo‐12‐crown‐4‐acrylamide) (PNB12C4) linear copolymers with benzo‐12‐crown‐4 (B12C4) as both guest and host units are prepared. The copolymers exhibit highly selective sensitivities toward γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) and Na+. The presence of γ‐CD induces the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNB12C4 copolymer to shift to a higher value due to the formation of 1:1 γ‐CD/B12C4 host‐guest inclusion complexes, while Na+ causes a negative shift in LCST due to the formation of 2:1 “sandwich” B12C4/Na+ host‐guest complexes. Regardless of the complexation order, when γ‐CD and Na+ coexist with PNB12C4, competitive complexation actions of B12C4 as both guest and host units toward γ‐CD and Na+ finally form equilibrium 2:2:1 γ‐CD/B12C4/Na+ composite complexes, and the final LCST values of PNB12C4 copolymer reach almost the same level. The results provide valuable guidance for designing and applying PNB12C4‐based smart materials in various applications.