Radical copolymerizations of N-ethylacrylamide and N-n-propylacrylamide (NNPAAm) at various ratios were carried out at 40 degrees C, in toluene in the presence of 3-methyl-3-pentanol, or in N-ethylacetamide. Syndiotactic-rich copolymers with racemo diad contents of 67.1-70.2%, and isotactic-rich copolymers with meso diad contents of 60.9-64.5% were prepared. Syndiotactic-rich copolymers with NNPAAm compositions of >92.9 mol% exhibited large hystereses in the phase-transition temperatures of their aqueous solutions. Isotactic-rich copolymers with NNPAAm compositions of 392-67.6 mol% exhibited large hystereses in the phase-transition temperatures of their aqueous solutions. Those of composition >67.6 mol% were insoluble in water. Stereosequence analysis suggested that isotactic sequences favored intramolecular hydrogen bonding between contiguous NNPAAm units, more than syndiotactic sequences. Enhanced intramolecular hydrogen bonding in isotactic sequences was responsible for the large hystereses and insolubility of isotactic-rich copolymers with high NNPAAm compositions. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.