Figure 2. Synthesis of methacrylate random copolymers with cationic amphiphilic structures. R: hydrophobic groups (methyl, ethyl, butyl, hexyl, and benzyl groups). The polymers were prepared from boc-protected amine monomer and alkyl or benzyl methacrylate monomers. The polymerization was performed using azobisisobutylonitrile (AIBN) as a radical initiator and methyl 3-mercaptopropionate as a chain transfer agent in acetonitrile. The treatment of boc-protected polymers by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) gave the amphiphilic random copolymers with cationic ammonium groups in the side chains.