Soluble interpolymeric complexes as a new class of synthetic polyelectrolytes

Abstract

Some routes of preparation of water-soluble nonstoichiometric complexes (N-PEC) are considered. The structure of water-soluble N-PEC is examined and it is shown that in certain aspects they behave like individual macromolecular compounds and represent a new class of complex water-soluble polyelectrolytes. The behavior of N-PEC in aqueous salt solutions is considered and reasons and a mechanism of conformational transformations of the N-PEC macromolecules in these media are discussed. Disproportionation phenomena observed in N-PEC solutions are described in connection with the peculiarities of a phase separation in these systems, possible reasons and a mechanism of these phenomena are suggested. Data on the kinetics of the macromolecular exchange reactions in N-PEC solutions are presented. It is shown that the rate of interchange is dramatically controlled by simple electrolytes present in the reaction media. © 1984 IUPAC