R‐RAFT approach for the polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide with a star poly(ε‐caprolactone) core

Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is a more robust and versatile approach than other living free radical polymerization methods, providing a reactive thiocarbonylthio end group. A series of well‐defined star diblock [poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)]₄ (SPCLNIP) copolymers were synthesized by R‐RAFT polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) using [PCL‐DDAT]₄ (SPCL‐DDAT) as a star macro‐RAFT agent (DDAT: S‐1‐dodecyl‐S′‐(α, α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid) trithiocarbonate). The R‐RAFT polymerization showed a controlled/“living” character, proceeding with pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. All these star polymers with different molecular weights exhibited narrow molecular weight distributions of less than 1.2. The effect of polymerization temperature and molecular weight of the star macro‐RAFT agent on the polymerization kinetics of NIPAAm monomers was also addressed. Hardly any radical–radical coupling by‐products were detected, while linear side products were kept to a minimum by careful control over polymerization conditions. The trithiocarbonate groups were transferred to polymer chain ends by R‐RAFT polymerization, providing potential possibility of further modification by thiocarbonylthio chemistry. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of sterically hindered monomers: Toward well‐defined rod/coil architectures

The sterically hindered monomers dibutyl itaconate (DBI) and dicyclohexyl itaconate (DCHI) were polymerized via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) free‐radical polymerization. S,S′‐Bis(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid) trithiocarbonate, cumyl dithiobenzoate, and cumyl phenyldithioacetate have been used as RAFT agents to mediate a series of polymerizations at 65 °C yielding rod polymers ranging in number average molecular weight from 9000 to 92,000 g mol^?1. The progress of the polymerization was followed via online Fourier transform–near infrared spectroscopy. The polydispersity indices of the obtained rod polymers were relatively high at 1.4–1.7. The RAFT polymerizations of the hindered monomers used in the present study displayed both ideal living and hybrid behavior between conventional and living polymerization, depending on the RAFT agent used. DCHI rod polymers generated via the RAFT process were subsequently reinitiated in the presence of styrene to produce a range of BAAB and A‐B rod‐coil block copolymers of molecular weights up to 164,000 g mol^?1. The chain extension yields molecular weight distributions that progressively shift to higher molecular weights and are unimodal. Thermogravimetric analysis of the pDCHI‐block‐pStyrene copolymers indicates thermal degradation in two separate steps for the pDCHI and pStyrene blocks. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2432–2443, 2004     

Kinetic investigation of the RAFT polymerization of p‐acetoxystyrene

The kinetics of the RAFT polymerization of p‐acetoxystyrene using a trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent, S‐1‐dodecyl‐S′‐(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid)trithiocarbonate, DDMAT, was investigated. Parameters including temperature, percentage initiator, concentration, monomer‐to‐chain transfer agent ratio, and solvent were varied and their impact on the rate of polymerization and quality of the final polymer examined. Linear kinetic plots, linear increase of M_n with monomer conversion, and low final molecular weight dispersities were used as criteria for the selection of optimized polymerization conditions, which included a temperature of 70 or 80 °C with 10 mol % AIBN initiator in bulk for low conversions or in 1,4‐dioxane at a monomer‐to‐solvent volume ratio of 1:1 for higher conversions This study opens the way for the use of DDMAT as a chain transfer agent for RAFT polymerization to incorporate p‐acetoxystyrene together with other functional monomers into well‐defined copolymers, block copolymers, and nanostructures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2517–2524, 2010     

Living free‐radical polymerization of sterically hindered monomers: Improving the understanding of 1,1‐disubstituted monomer systems

The sterically hindered, 1,1‐disubstituted monomers di‐n‐butyl itaconate (DBI), dicyclohexyl itaconate (DCHI), and dimethyl itaconate (DMI) were polymerized with reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) free‐radical polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Cumyl dithiobenzoate, cumyl phenyl dithioacetate, 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate, 4‐cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate, and S‐methoxycarbonylphenylmethyl dithiobenzoate were employed as RAFT agents to mediate a series of polymerizations at 60 °C yielding polymers ranging in their number‐average molecular weight from 4500 to 60,000 g mol^?1. The RAFT polymerizations of these hindered monomers displayed hybrid living behavior (between conventional and living free‐radical polymerization) of various degrees depending on the molecular structure of the initial RAFT agent. In addition, DCHI was polymerized via ATRP with a CuCl/methyl benzoate/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine/cyclohexanone system at 60 °C. Both the ATRP and RAFT polymerization of the hindered monomers displayed living characteristics; however, broader than expected molecular weight distributions were observed for the RAFT systems (polydispersity index = 1.15–3.35). To assess the cause of this broadness, chain‐transfer‐to‐monomer constants for DMI, DBI, and DCHI were determined (1.4 × 10^?3, 1.3 × 10^?3, and 1.0 × 10^?3, respectively) at 60 °C. Simulations carried out with the PREDICI program package suggested that chain transfer to monomer contributed to the broadening process. In addition, the experimental results indicated that viscosity had a pronounced effect on the broadness of the molecular weight distributions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3692–3710, 2006     

Synthesis and self‐assembly morphologies of amphiphilic multiblock copolymers [poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐polystyrene]n via trithiocarbonate‐embedded PEO macro‐RAFT agent

An amphiphilic multiblock copolymer [poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐polystyrene]_n [(PEO‐b‐PS)_n] is synthesized by using trithiocarbonate‐embedded PEO as macro‐RAFT agent. PEO with four inserted trithiocarbonate (M_n = 9200 and M_w/M_n = 1.62) groups is prepared first by condensation of α, ω‐dihydroxyl poly(ethylene oxide) with S, S′‐Bis(α, α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid)‐trithiocarbonate (BDATC) in the presence of pyridine, then a series of goal copolymers with different St units (varied from 25 to 218 per segment) are obtained by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The synthesis process is monitored by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), ¹H NMR and FT‐IR. The self‐assembled morphologies of the copolymers are strongly dependent of the length of PS block chains when the chain length of PEO is fixed, some new morphologies as large leaf‐like aggregates (LLAs), large octopus‐like aggregates (LOAs), and coarse‐grain like micelles (CGMs) are observed besides some familiar aggregates as large compound vesicles (LCVs), lamellae and rods, and the effect of water content on the morphologies is also discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6071–6082, 2006     

Formation of Vesicular Morphologies via Polymerization Induced Self‐Assembly and Re‐Organization

A facile and feasible strategy for the preparation of vesicular morphologies has been developed using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymerization of styrene has been performed in a selected solvent, methanol, using S‐1‐dodecyl‐S‐(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid)trithiocarbonate (TC)‐terminated poly(4‐vinylpyridine) as chain transfer agent and stabilizer. Various morphologies including spherical vesicles, nanotubes, and compound vesicles with different shapes are obtained by changing the feed ratios and reaction conditions. The final nanostructural materials are formed through formation of the block copolymers, self‐assembly, and re‐organization of the morphology in a one‐pot polymerization. The latter two are induced by the propagation of PS blocks. The preparation of nanostructural materials can be performed at a concentration higher than 0.5 g · mL⁻¹, thus this method offers a practical approach to prepare nanostructural materials on a large scale.

     

Thermal Behaviors of 2‐(Dinitromethylene)‐1,3‐diazacycloheptane (DNDH)

2‐(Dinitromethylene)‐1,3‐diazacycloheptane (DNDH) was prepared by the reaction of 1,1‐diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethylene (FOX‐7) with 1,4‐diaminoethane in NMP. Thermal decomposition behavior of DNDH was studied under the non‐isothermal conditions with DSC method, and presents only one intensely exothermic decomposition process. The kinetic equation of the decomposition reaction is dα/dT=10^33.88×3α^2/3exp(−3.353×10⁵/RT)/β. The critical temperature of thermal explosion is 215.97°C. Specific heat capacity of DNDH was studied with micro‐DSC method and theoretical calculation method, and the molar heat capacity is 215.40 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ at 298.15 K. Adiabatic time‐to‐explosion was calculated to be 92.07 s. DNDH has same thermal stability to FOX‐7.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Thermal Behavior of 4,5‐Diacetoxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine

A new energetic material, 4,5‐diacetoxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine (DADNI), was synthesized by the reaction of 4,5‐dihydroxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine (DDNI) and acetic anhydride, and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Crystal data for DADNI are monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=15.9167(3) Å, b=8.6816(4) Å, c=8.5209(3) Å, β=103.294(9)°, V=1145.9(3) ų, Z=4, µ=0.150 mm⁻¹, F(000)=600, D_c=1.682 g·cm⁻³, R₁=0.0565 and wR₂=0.1649. Thermal decomposition behavior of DADNI was studied and an intensely exothermic process was observed. The kinetic equation of the decomposition reaction is: dα/dT=(10^16.64/β)×4α^3/4exp(−1.582×10⁵/RT). The critical temperature of thermal explosion is 163.76°C. The specific heat capacity of DADNI was studied with micro‐DSC method and theoretical calculation method. The molar heat capacity is 343.30 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ at 298.15 K. The adiabatic time‐to‐explosion of DADNI was calculated to be 87.7 s.     

Synthesis of magnetic,reactive, and thermoresponsive Fe3O4 nanoparticles via surface‐initiated RAFT copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide and acrolein

A reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent was directly anchored onto Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in a simple procedure using a ligand exchange reaction of S‐1‐dodecyl‐S′‐(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid)trithiocarbonate with oleic acid initially present on the surface of pristine Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The RAFT agent‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were then used for the surface‐initiated RAFT copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide and acrolein to fabricate structurally well‐defined hybrid nanoparticles with reactive and thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrolein) shell and magnetic Fe₃O₄ core. Evidence of a well‐controlled surface‐initiated RAFT copolymerization was gained from a linear increase of number‐average molecular weight with overall monomer conversions and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions of the copolymers grown from the nanoparticles. The resulting novel magnetic, reactive, and thermoresponsive core‐shell nanoparticles exhibited temperature‐trigged magnetic separation behavior and high ability to immobilize model protein BSA. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 542–550, 2010     

Polymethylene‐block‐polystyrene copolymers: A new synthetic approach using a combination of polyhomologation and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization and their microfibers and microspheres fabricated through electrospinning process

Well‐defined polymethylene‐block‐polystyrene (PM‐b‐PS) diblock copolymers were synthesized via a combination of polyhomologation of ylides and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene. Trithiocarbonate‐terminated polymethylenes (PM‐TTCB) (M_n = 1400 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.09 and M_n = 2100 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.20) were obtained via an esterification of S?1‐dodecyl‐S′‐(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetate) trithiocarbonate with hydroxyl‐terminated polymethylene synthesized via polyhomologation of ylides followed by oxidation. Then, a series of PM‐b‐PS (M_n = 5500–34,000 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.12–1.25) diblock copolymers were obtained by RAFT polymerization of styrene using PM‐TTCB as a macromolecular chain‐transfer agent. The chain structures of all the polymers were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), gel permeation chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thiocarbonylthio end‐group of PM‐b‐PS was transformed into thiol group by aminolysis and confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy. In addition, microfibers and microspheres of such diblock copolymers were fabricated by electrospinning process and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2892–2899     

Amine‐Reactive Polymers Synthesized by RAFT Polymerization Using an Azlactone Functional Trithiocarbonate RAFT Agent

A new azlactone‐derived trithiocarbonate is prepared and used as a chain‐transfer agent to mediate the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene, ethyl acrylate, and N‐isopropyl acrylamide. Well‐defined polymers with controlled molecular weights (M _n = 1000–7000 g mol⁻¹) and narrow molecular weight distributions (PDI = 1.05–1.10) are thus obtained that retain the azlactone functionality at the chain end. The ability of the resulting end‐functionalized polymers to react quantitatively at room temperature with a stoichiometric amount of amino groups with retention of the thiocarbonylthio moiety is ascertained by using 4‐fluorobenzylamine and allylamine.     

Stimuli‐responsive diblock copolymer brushes via combination of “click chemistry” and living radical polymerization

pH‐ and temperature‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐block?4‐vinylbenzoic acid) (poly(NIPAAm‐b‐VBA)) diblock copolymer brushes on silicon wafers have been successfully prepared by combining click reaction, single‐electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP), and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Azide‐terminated poly(NIPAAm) brushes were obtained by SET‐LRP followed by reaction with sodium azide. A click reaction was utilized to exchange the azide end group of a poly(NIPAAm) brushes to form a surface‐immobilized macro‐RAFT agent, which was successfully chain extended via RAFT polymerization to produce poly(NIPAAm‐b‐VBA) brushes. The addition of sacrificial initiator and/or chain‐transfer agent permitted the formation of well‐defined diblock copolymer brushes and free polymer chains in solution. The free polymer chains were isolated and used to estimate the molecular weights and polydispersity index of chains attached to the surface. Ellipsometry, contact angle measurements, grazing angle‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the immobilization of initiator on the silicon wafer, poly(NIPAAm) brush formation via SET‐LRP, click reaction, and poly(NIPAAm‐b‐VBA) brush formation via RAFT polymerization. The poly(NIPAAm‐b‐VBA) brushes demonstrate stimuli‐responsive behavior with respect to pH and temperature. The swollen brush thickness of poly(NIPAAm‐b‐VBA) brush increases with increasing pH, and decreases with increasing temperature. These results can provide guidance for the design of smart materials based on copolymer brushes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2677–2685     

Growing poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) from the surface of graphene oxide via RAFT polymerization

A new approach on usage of S‐1‐dodecyl‐S′‐(α,α′‐dimethyl‐α″‐acetic acid)trithiocarbonate (DDAT)‐covalently functionalized graphene oxide (GO) as reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent for growing of poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) directly from the surface of GO was described. The PVK polymer covalently grafted onto GO has M_n of 8.05 × 10³, and a polydispersity of 1.43. The resulting material PVK‐GO shows a good solubility in organic solvents when compared to GO, and a significant energy bandgap of ～2.49 eV. Bistable electrical switching and nonvolatile rewritable memory effect, with a turn‐on voltage of about ?1.7 V and an ON/OFF state current ratio in excess of 10³, are demonstrated in the Al/PVK‐GO/ITO structure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

η3‐Benzyl‐Nickel‐Diimine Complex: Synthesis and Catalytic Properties in Ethylene Polymerization

The oxidative addition of benzyl chloride to Ni(cod)₂ in the presence of 1,4‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthenediimine followed by chloride abstraction affords [(η³‐CH₂C₆H₅)Ni(α‐diimine)][PF₆] (α‐diimine = 1,4‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthenediimine) in 70% yield. The complex is active in ethylene polymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane and under mild reaction conditions. The polyethylenes obtained are highly branched, have very low densities, do not show T_m or measurable crystallinity and have molecular weights ranging from 80 × 10³ to 290 × 10³ g · mol⁻¹.

     

Effect of Medium Acidity and Photostability of 3‐(4‐Dimethylamino‐phenyl)‐1‐(2,5‐dimethyl‐thiophen‐3‐yl)‐propenone (DDTP): A New Green Emitting Laser Dye

On the line of a previous work on the spectral properties of some of heteroaryl chalcone, the effect of medium acidity and photoreactivity of 3‐(4‐dimethylamino‐phenyl)‐1‐(2,5‐dimethyl‐thiophen‐3‐yl)‐propenone (DDTP) has been investigated in dimethylformamide and in chloromethane solvents such as methylenechloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. The dye solution (ca. 5×10⁻⁴ mol·L⁻¹ in DMF) gives a good laser emission in the range 470–560 nm with emission maximum at 515 nm upon pumping by nitrogen laser (λ_ex=337.1 nm). The laser parameters such as gain coefficient (α), emission cross section (δ_e) and half life energy (E_1/2) at maximum laser emission are also determined.     

Thermo‐ and pH‐induced self‐assembly of P(AA‐b‐NIPAAm‐b‐AA) triblock copolymers synthesized via RAFT polymerization

A series of environmentally sensitive ABA triblock copolymers with different block lengths were prepared by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization from acrylic acid (AA) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm). The GPC and ¹H NMR analyses demonstrated the narrow molecular weight distribution and precise chemical structure of the prepared P(AA‐b‐NIPAAm‐b‐AA) triblock copolymers owing to the controlled/living characteristics of RAFT polymerization. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the triblock copolymers could be tailored by adjusting the length of PAA block and controlled by the pH value. Under heating, the triblock copolymers underwent self‐assemble in dilute aqueous solution and formed nanoparticles revealed via TEM images. Physically crosslinked nanogels induced by inter‐/intra‐hydrogen bonding or core‐shell micelle particles thus could be obtained by changing environmental conditions. With a well‐defined structure and stimuli‐responsive properties, the P(AA‐b‐NIPAAm‐b‐AA) copolymer is expected to be employed as a nanocarrier for biomedical applications in controlled‐drug delivery and targeting therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1109–1118     

Spectroscopic Studies on the Binding of Kaempferol‐3,7‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranoside to Bovine Serum Albumin

The binding of kaempferol‐3,7‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranoside (KRR) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by different spectroscopic methods under simulative physiological conditions. Analysis of ?uorescence quenching data of BSA by KRR at different temperatures using Stern‐Volmer methods revealed the formation of a ground state KRR‐BSA complex with moderate binding constant of the order 10⁴ L·mol^?1. The existence of some metal ions could weaken the binding of KRR on BSA. The changes in the van't Hoff enthalpy (ΔH⁰) and entropy (ΔS⁰) of the interaction were estimated to be ?26.53 kJ·mol^?1 and 3.33 J·mol^?1·K^?1 and both hydrophobic and electrostatic forces contributed to stabilizing the BSA‐KRR complex. According to the F?ster theory of non‐radiation energy transfer, the distance r between the donor (BSA) and the acceptor (KRR) was obtained (r=2.83 nm). Site marker competitive experiments showed that KRR could bind to Site I of BSA. In addition, synchronous fluorescence, UV‐Vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD) results indicated that the KRR binding could cause conformational changes of BSA.     

1-氨基-1-肼基-2,2-二硝基乙烯（AHDNE）的非等温分解动力学，比热容和绝热至爆时间研究

利用DSC和TG/DTG法研究了1-氨基-1-肼基-2,2-二硝基乙烯（AHDNE）热分解行为及分解动力学,第一热分解过程的动力学方程为： ,其热爆炸临界温度为98.16 ºC。同时,利用微量热法测定了AHDNE的比热容,298.15K时的标准摩尔比热容为211.86 J•mol-1•K-1。计算得到了AHDNE的绝热至爆时间为59.21 s。AHDNE是不稳定的,其热稳定性远低于母体化合物FOX-7。     

RAFT Polymerization of N‐[3‐(Trimethoxysilyl)‐propyl]acrylamide and Its Versatile Use in Silica Hybrid Materials

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and characterization of an alkoxysilane acrylamide monomer using a trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent are described. Poly(N‐[3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]acrylamide) (PTMSPAA) homopolymers are obtained with good control over the polymerization. A linear increase in the molecular weight is observed whereas the polydispersity values do not exceed 1.2 regardless of the monomer conversion. Moreover, PTMSPAA is used as a macro‐RAFT agent to polymerize N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). By varying the degree of polymerization of NIPAM within the block copolymer, different sizes of thermoresponsive particles are obtained. These particles are stabilized by the condensation of the alkoxysilane moieties of the polymers. Furthermore, a co‐network of silica and PTMSPAA is prepared using the sol–gel process. After drying, transparent mesoporous hybrids are obtained with a surface area of up to 400 m² g⁻¹.

     

Unusual effect of molecular weight and concentration on thermoresponsive behaviors of well‐defined water‐soluble semirigid polymers

A series of water‐soluble semirigid thermoresponsive polymers with well‐defined molecular weights based on mesogen‐jacketed liquid crystal polymers (MJLCPs), poly[bis(N‐hydroxyisopropyl pyrrolidone) 2‐vinylterephthalate] (PHIPPVTA) have been synthesized via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that the novel monomer and polymers have thermoresponsive properties with cloud point in the range between 10 and 90 °C. The cloud point was increased by 56.2 °C when the polymer molecular weight increased from 0.47 × 10⁴ g mol^?1 to 3.69 × 10⁴ g mol^?1. In addition, the cloud point of PHIPPVTA was decreased by 18.8 °C with the increase of polymer concentration from 5 to 10 mg mL^?1. A slight increase (0.1–3.5 °C) of cloud point has been observed after knocking off the end‐groups of PHIPPVTA. Moreover, the cloud point of polymer increased with increasing of its molecular weight with or without the trithiocarbonate end‐groups, which showed the opposite trend comparing with other thermoresponsive polymers with flexible backbones. These polymers show a dramatic solvent isotopic effect that the cloud point in D₂O was lower than in H₂O. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012