Cationic quaternary ammonium polyelectrolytes have been the subject of increased research efforts in recent years due to their diverse commercial applications. Among the most prominent technological water-soluble cationic ammonium polymers is poly(aUaUyldimethylammonium chloride), PDADMAC. Butler and Ingley^ first reported the free radical polymerization of diaUyldimethylammonium bromide yielding a water-soluble polymer. Later, Butler and coworkers^ proposed and confirmed the formation of a linear cyclopolymer via intra-intermolecular olymerization, now termed cyclopolymerization. Although ix-member rings are thermodynamically more stable, ^ C NMR studies^ indicated that five-membered rings are predominant in PDADMAC for kinetic reasons. Reported herein is the synthesis and solution properties of cyclocopolymers of diallylalkoxybenzylmethylammonium chloride and diaUyldimethylammonium chloride.? The formation of ring structures along the polymer backbone is expected to increases the rigidity of the polymer chains in comparison to previously studied acrylamide polymers.^ Here we examine whether the distribution of the hydrophobic groups has a similar effect on the association properties. The introduction of phenyl groups allows precise determination of copolymer composition by UV spectroscopy. Effects of hydrophobe length and concentration, electrolytes, surfactants and shear stress are studied by viscometric and photophysical measurements.