SOLID-STATE POLYCONDENSATION WITHIN CYCLODEXTRIN CHANNELS LEADING TO WATERSOLUBLE POLYAMIDE ROTAXANES

alpha,omega-Aminocarboxylic acids form microcrystalline inclusion comp ounds with alpha-cyclodextrin. In these inclusion compounds cyclodextr ins build up channel structures, in which the alpha,omega-aminocarboxy lic acids can be polycondensed at 200-240 degrees C. As the resulting polyamides are completely covered by cyclodextrin rings they are readi ly water-soluble. The dissociation of the polymeric inclusion compound s can be prevented by the introduction of bulky substituents within th e polymer chain. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.