Macromolecule‐small molecule interactions; introduction of additional binding sites in polyethyleneimine by disulfide cross–linkages

Abstract

Abstract Polyethyleneimine and its acyl derivatives have been thiolated with thiobutyrolactone and the SH groups introduced have been crosslinked in the presence of and in the absence of methyl orange, respectively. After crosslinking of the polymers, the bound methyl orange was removed. The resultant two kinds of crosslinked polymers have been examined for their ability to bind methyl orange. The polymer crosslinked in the presence of methyl orange shows more binding sites and stronger binding than does the polymer crosslinked in the absence of methyl orange. It seems, therefore, that the conformation of the polymer may be molded to provide sites that can accommodate a specific small molecule.