New regular, amphiphilic poly(ampholyte)s: Synthesis and characterization

Hydrophobically substituted diallylamines bearing a hexyl, dodecyl, or octadecyl chain were synthesized and homopolymerized as hydrochlorides. Copolymerization of the diallylamines with maleic acid produces alternating copolymers. The copolymers behave as amphiphilic polyampholytes and dissolve best in the acidic or in the basic form. Only the copolymer with the hexyl chain could be dissolved in aqueous solvents and shows hydrophobic association. The copolymers with the longer alkyl chains require polar protic organic solvents. All polymers are amorphous, but show a superstructure in bulk due to their amphiphilicity.