Unravelling competitive interactions between polymer side chains and end groups with β-cyclodextrin

This study investigates unexpected competitive host-guest interactions of β-cyclodextrin which can occur with polymers in aqueous solution, using the examples of the two polymers poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (POEGMA) and poly(glycerol mono methacrylate) (PGMA). Systematic structural modifications of the polymer provide insight into the host-guest interaction with β-cyclodextrin and the competition between side chains and end groups, i.e. hydrophobic end groups remaining from reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization or intentionally implemented molecular recognition units such as arylazopyrazole (AAP) photoswitches.