The self-assembling behavior of random copolymers of sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS)and hydrophobic comonomers possessing dodecyl groups linked by various spacer bonds was discussed with a focus on theeffect of the spacer. The characterization of association behavior of such polymers in water using quasielastic light scattering

capillary electrophoresis

NMR relaxation

various fluorescence

and viscoelastic methods was described. These copolymers form a cariety of self-assembled nanostructures depending on the type of the spacer.Random copolymers of AMPS and N-dodecylmethacrylamide show a strong preference for intrapolymer self-association even in concentrated aqueous solutions forming single-macromolecular self-assemblies (unimolecular micelles).In contrast

random copolymers of AMPS and dodecyl methacrylate are prone to undergo interpolymer associations yielding multipolymer mucelles.In random copolymers of AMPS and a methacrylate substituted a nonionic surfactant (HO(CH2CH2O)25C12H25)(C12E25)

dodecyl groups are much less restricted by the polymer backbone because they are linked via a long

flexible hydrophilic spacer.Thus

the polymer-bound C12E25 surfactant moieties form micelles similar to those formed by discrete surfactants

but they are bridged by polymer chains forming a network structure.