Polymer NMR Spectroscopy. X. The Use of H1–H1 Spin Decoupling in the Elucidation of Polymer Structure

High-resolution NMR spectroscopy of vinyl polymers in solution is an effective means of determination of the stereochemical configuration of their chains. In polymers having only a single α substituent, however, spin coupling of α and β protons complicates the interpretation of the spectrum considerably and also makes it difficult to observe those stereoisomeric sequences which are present as minor components. Decoupling of the α- and β-proton spins has been found to be helpful in the interpretation of the spectra of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, and polyvinyl methyl ether. It is not helpful for polyvinyl acetate in carbon tetrachloride, since here the chemical shift of the α and β protons is not sensitive to stereochemical configuration.