Peculiar temperature dependence of the binding of methyl orange and its homologs by 2‐diethylaminoethyl methacrylate‐N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone copolymers

Abstract

Abstract2‐Diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA)–N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (VPy) copolymers of various compositions have been synthesized. The resultant copolymers were examined for their ability to bind methyl orange and its homologs, in particular butyl orange, at 5, 15, 25, and 35°C in aqueous solutions. The amount of binding of butyl orange is much higher with the copolymers than with polyvinylpyrrolidone or with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate–N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone copolymers. Introduction of only 3% of the hydrophobic DEAEMA residue increases markedly the binding affinity toward the cosolute. Maximal binding is obtained at 15°C in the temperature range measured. This peculiar temperature dependence of the extent of binding is explicable on the basis of hydrophobic effects involved in this binding. The peculiar temperature dependence disappeared in aqueous solution of NaSCN which acts as a water‐structure breaker: the extent of binding changes regularly with temperature. This is interpretable only in terms of reduction of hydrophobic contribution to the binding. With propyl orange, which is a less hydrophobic cosolute than butyl orange, the peculiarity of the binding was not detected.