The inclusion of beta cyclodextrin provides a supramolecular solution to the problem of polymerization of dodecyl and octadecyl methacrylates in aqueous emulsion

Emulsion polymerizations of dodecyl and octadecyl methacrylate were carried out using a conventional water soluble initiator and sulphonate surfactant in the presence of beta cyclodextrin. For the first time stable latices th at were taken to high conversion of monomer were produced, it is thought th at beta cyclodextrin enhances the water solubility of these highly water in soluble monomers, so that the ease of transport of the monomer across the a queous phase to the loci of polymerization is improved. Absence of sulphona te surfactant resulted in gross coagulation during polymerization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.