Reaction kinetics of polymer substituents : neighbouring-group effects for ideal molecules with unique ends and related model schemes

Abstract

A formal kinetic analysis has been carried out for the irreversible occupation of a linear array of m sites by taking n adjacent sites at each step. Included in the model are unique probabilities for the occupation of ends of the array, and parameters permitting overall cooperative or anti-cooperative behaviour. Isolation statistics and related aspects are also described. The models treated here and previously arise from consideration of polymer transformation reactions, and discussions of reactions of synthetic polymers are augmented here by reference to polysaccharides. Scission reactions are briefly discussed.