Polystyrene Microgel with Maltohexaose. Synthesis and Potential Application for Fullerene-Coating on Hydrophilic Surface

4-Vinylbenzyl maltohexaoside peracetate, 1, was copolymerized with divinylbenzene using the initiator for nitroxide-mediated living radical polymerization, 2, to afford the polystyrene microgel with acetyl maltohexaose, 3. The deacetylation of 3 was achieved by treatment with sodium methoxide in dry 1,4-dioxane to produce the polystyrene microgel with maltohexaose, 4. A good coating property of the polystyrene microgel was combined with an excellent hydrophilic property derived from maltohexaose. In addition, 4 showed the ability to solubilize fullerene in aqueous solution. Therefore, 4 has a potential application as a special coating using functional but incompatible compounds such as fullerene on the surface of various hydrophilic materials.