Analysis of Chain Microstructure by 1 H and 1 3 C Nmr Spectroscopy

The aim of this review is to cover the contribution of high resolution NMR spectroscopy to the study of polymer microstructure, particularly after the years 1974-5, thus continuing the series of previous reviews (1-6). The impact of stereospecific catalysts on the polymer world has created new demands for methods of studying the stereochemical configuration of polymer chains. NMR spectroscopy has become a very important method in this field through its ability to discriminate between different structures in a quantitative manner. The study of polymer configuration involves consideration of the polymer chain as sequences of iso-, heteroand syndiotactic monomer plasements, i.e., as triads. Use of superconducting magnets and 1 3 C NMR allows one to obtain information about the content of tetrads, pentads and higher order sequences. The analysis of triads and tetrads has been found to be very useful in the general interpretation of polymer structural problems. More specific information is forthcoming which may be used in a special way, e.g., in correlations with statistical polymerization^ theory.