The copolymerization of a methylated-beta -cyclodextrin (m-beta -CD) 1 : 1 host-guest compound of styrene (1a) with various molar ratios of sodium 4-(acrylamido)-phenyldiazosulfonate (2) is described. The copolymerization of complex la with 2 was carried out in water with 2,2'-azobis-(N,N'-dimerhyleneisobutyramidine)-dihydrochloride as the free radical initiator at 40 degreesC. Depending on the amount of 2 incorporated in the copolymer, water- or DMF-soluble copolymers of high molar mass were obtained. Irradiation of the copolymers with UV light in solution resulted in rapid decomposition of the azo chromophore, and irradiation of the polymers as films led to crosslinking and thus to insolubility.