Host–guest chemistry of cyclodextrin carbamates and cellulose derivatives in aqueous solution

•The synthesis of cyclodextrin carbamates is facile and environmentally friendly.•Novel supramolecular polymer micelles are prepared by one pot method.•The supramolecular micelle systems have long drug release time. Supramolecular polymer micelles were prepared on basis of the inclusion complexation between cyclodextrin carbamates and cellulose derivatives in aqueous media. Cyclodextrin carbamates were synthesized by microwave-assisted method from cyclodextrin and urea. The urea modified cyclodextrin shows the higher yield than the physical mixture of urea/cyclodextrin in the micellization with cellulose derivatives. The supramolecular structure of the core–shell micelles was demonstrated by 1H NMR spectra, TEM images, and fluorescence spectra. The drug release behavior of the supramolecular polymer micelles was evaluated using prednisone acetate as a model drug. The drug loaded micelles showed steady and long time drug release behavior. With these properties, the supramolecular polymer micelles are attractive as drug carriers for pharmaceutical applications.