The formation of pseudo polyrotaxanes based on a polyelectrolyte, a surfactant and alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) in aqueous solution is investigated. The polyelectrolyte and the surfactant form an ionic complex the side chains of which interact with each other. These interactions are strongly influenced by the formation of inclusion complexes with alpha-CD. It is shown by H-1 NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy that threading of the alpha-CD rings onto the side chains causes a shielding effect which increases the mobility of the side chains. The structure of the pseudopolyrotaxanes is concluded from ROESY spectra and their stoichiometry is determined by job plots based on shift effects observed in the H-1 NMR spectra. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.