Chain Structure and Conformation of Macromolecules

Book excerpt: Chain Structure and Conformation of Macromolecules provides an introduction to the chain structures of synthetic polymers and their determination in solution and in the solid state. This book discusses the synthetic methods and polymerization mechanisms. Organized into eight chapters, this book begins with an overview of the brief history of the macromolecular concept and of stereochemical and geometrical isomerism in synthetic polymer chains. This text then introduces vibrational spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Other chapters consider the geometric isomerism in diene copolymers as well as the rotational isomeric state method of calculation of polymer chain dimensions. This book discusses as well copolymerization and the measurement of copolymer structure. The final chapter deals with the NMR observation of polymers in the solid state by the method of magic angle spinning, by which both dynamic measurements and high resolution structural information are possible. This book is a valuable resource for organic chemists, chemical engineers, and research workers.