Configurational statistics of copolymers prepared by complex-radical polymerization

Abstract

Radical copolymerization is considered theoretically taking into account the effect of complexing on the configurational statistics of macromolecules formed. Akinetic model has been developed that considers, apart from the ordinary addition of single monomer units to a propagating chain, the possible addition of monomer unit pairs along with a complexing agent in the form of a ternary complex. Within the framework of this model, the problem of calculating the probabilities of formation of any sequences of monomer units (taking into account their microtacticity) in a macromolecule has been rigorously solved as well as the problem of finding the composition distribution of the copolymer formed. It has been shown that this distribution is described by a conventional Gauss law and the appropriate parameters are given. Possible generalizations of the suggested approach are indicated.