Novel polymerization of diethyl fumarate and maleate in aqueous media via cyclodextrin-complexes

Radical polymerization of cyclodextrin (CD) complexed diethyl fumarate (1) and diethyl maleate (2) was investigated using redox initiator in aqueous media at room temperature. Control experiments were carried out showing that 2 does not homopolymerize using radical initiator in bulk at 60 °C. Complex 2 undergoes homopolymerization with a cis/trans-isomerization in the presence of both CD and redox initiator. The obtained polymers have a similar structure and molecular weight as polymer obtained from the corresponding 1-CD complex. Additionally, the X-ray structure of a α-cyclodextrin complex of monomer 1 is represented.