Abstract
The molecular weight distribution as dependent on conversion, has been investigated for the radiation induced topochemical polymerization of the diacetylene monomer Dodeca-5,7-diyne-1, 12-ylene-bis(p-toluene sulfonate) (“TS-12”). The kinetic chain length increases with conversion from about 60 in the early stages to 2000 at 10 percent conversion and then stays constant to high (70 percent) conversion. The rate of chain initiation is constant up to high conversions. A G-value of 1.2 was determined. The chain ends produced in the course of the reaction are inactive for further polymerization reactions.