Modified poly(vinyl acetals)

New amphiphilic copolymers based on poly(vinyl alcohol) have been synthesized. By reaction with aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, poly(vinyl acetals) (PVAc) having various degrees of acetalization have been obtained. The products with 40–50% acetalization possess appropriate hydrophilic-hydrophobic character. Modification of PVAc by various methods of grafting leads to poly(vinyl acetal)-g-poly(ethylene oxide). Their structural characteristics and swelling behaviour have been investigated.