Mechanism of Polymerization Reactions

Abstract

Abstract The peculiar properties possessed by molecules consisting of long chains of atoms linked together by primary valence forces are as yet imperfectly understood. Both naturally occurring and synthetic substances of this type are now familiar in a large variety of forms, of which rubber and cellulose are well-known examples of the former type. The problem may be attacked from two points of view. On the one hand by an investigation of the properties of large molecules something may be learned about molecular structure; on the other an attempt may be made to build such molecules synthetically to a predetermined pattern so that a correlation between structure and behavior may be established. This article will be solely concerned with the second aspect of the subject. Here the general problem is to carry out the synthesis under rigidly controlled conditions in order that the precise mechanism of molecule building may be determined with absolute certainty.