Synthesis and characterization of novel polymers derived from gluconolactone

Abstract A novel synthesis of vinyl monomers derived from D‐gluconolactone, an interesting precursor obtained from D‐glucose, is reported. The derivatization of D‐gluconolactone is carried out by first reacting methacrylic acid with a diamine in water, followed by in situ amidation of the sugar compound. Three monomers containing different lengths of alkylamido groups between vinyl and sugar residues, have thus been obtained and homopolymerized with various free‐radical initiators. The resulting polymers were analysed by viscometry and were found to exhibit polyelectrolyte behaviour. Their structures were confirmed by NMR and consist of a predominantly syndiotactic structure. Copolymerization of the gluconamidoalkyl ammonium methacrylates with other hydrophilic monomers such as methacrylamide and vinylpyrrolidone was also achieved. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry