Stereoregular control of poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) on free radical polymerization by using the inclusion complex with randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin

Highly heterotactic poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)s (P4VPs) with the fraction of mr content (f_mr) > 0.81 were synthesized by free radical polymerization of 4‐vinyl pyridine (4VP) with randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin (β‐RMCD) in acidic aqueous media of HNO₃ and CF₃COOH at 40 °C. The heterotacticity of P4VP strongly depended on the neutralization of 4VP. The complete neutralization of 4VP with HNO₃ or CF₃COOH increased the heterotacticity of P4VP, whereas atactic P4VP was obtained in water. The partial decomposition of β‐RMCD by HCl reduced the heterotacticity of P4VP (f_mr ≈ 0.74). The structures of inclusion complexed monomers were determined by Job's plot, 2D NMR with nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy analyses, and simulation by MM2. The 1:2 complex with [β‐RMCD]:[4VP] with meso placement of 4VPs in β‐RMCD was formed when 4VP was completely neutralized with acid, whereas the 1:1 complex was formed in water. The mechanism of heterospecific control by using β‐RMCD was proposed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012