Synthesis and free radical copolymerisation of new zwitterionic monomers: amphiphilic carbobetaines based on isobutylene

Several new, hydrolytically stable ammonioacetate and pyridiniocarboxylate monomers were synthesised varying the length of hydrophobic side chains and the nature of the zwitterionic moiety. The synthetic strategy chosen avoids the presence of residual salt in the betaines, thus making them well suited for model studies. The monomers bearing long alkyl spacers between the polymerisable group and the zwitterionic moiety exhibit surfactant properties (“surfmers”). The monomers do not undergo free radical homopolymerisation, but are suited for copolymerisation with a number of different monomers. Copolymers of monomers with long alkyl spacers tend to form superstructures in bulk.