STRUCTURE OF THE CONDENSED PHASE OF METHACRYLIC COPOLYMERS WITH LIPIDIC SIDE-CHAINS

Structures of alternating syndiotactic copolymers of methacrylic esters with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic side chains were investigated by an X-ray diffraction method. One of the alternating side chains of the copolymers was a 2-[[2-(trimethylammonio)ethyl]phosphoryl]ethyl group with a hydrophilic phosphoryl part. The hydrophobic side chain was modified from sample to sample, i.e., a cholesteryl, lauryl, or stearyl group. The structure proposed for these copolymers is basically constructed from alternately stacked bilayers of hydrophilic and hydrophobic side chains, which is similar to that found for lipid bilayers.