| Abstract: | Copolymers of 6‐O‐vinyladipoyl‐D ‐glucose (VAG) and N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAm) were synthesized by radical polymerization. The number‐average molecular weights of the copolymers were 3 × 104 ≈ 6 × 104. The observed segment composition of copolymers at the feed molar ratio (VAG 25/NIPAm 75) was VAG 10/NIPAm 90. The polymerization rate of the VAG monomer was slower than that of the NIPAm monomer. The lower critical‐solution temperature of copolymers measured with a light‐scattering photometer and a differential scanning calorimeter increased with increasing VAG segment composition. The increase in transition temperature was accompanied by a decrease in transition heat. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 384–387, 2001 |
