The nucleophilic ring opening of dicyanoketene ethylene acetal by tertiary
amino monomers leads to an hydrophobic zwitterionic monomer [(dimethylammon
ioethoxy)dicyanoethenolate]propyl-methacrylamide (DADPMA) characterized by
a very high dipole moment. Hydrophobically modified water soluble polymers
have been prepared by classical radical polymerization of acrylamide and DA
DPMA either in homogeneous medium (water/ethanol mixtures) or in micellar s
olution (water containing sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS)). The copolymers obt
ained have a high molecular weight (M-omega = 2-5 x 10(6) g mol(-1)) and ar
e water soluble for a content of DADPMA lower than 1% mole/mole. The proper
ties of the copolymers in aqueous solution depend on the synthesis conditio
ns, especially on the ratio ethanol:zwitterionic monomer. (C) 2001 Society
of Chemical Industry.