Analysis of polymers by chemical modification

Part one describes general aspects which must be considered when discussing the chemical analysis of polymers. By means of examples taken from literature, some fundamental procedures are illustrated, for example, color reactions, complex formation, degradation reactions (thermal, oxidative, solvolytic degradation), and polymer‐analogue reactions. Part two describes our own investigations on analysis of different vinyl acetate copolymers having the general formula . The method is based on the elimination of acetic acid by melting the copolymer with p‐toluene‐sulfonic acid. The acetic acid can be determined by potentiometric titration or gas chromatography. The method may be used for soluble and insoluble copolymers (with R:H; OH; phenyl; C2H5COO) and graft copolymers (i.e., poly(vinyl chloride)) containing 0.2 to 100% vinyl ester. With copolymers from vinyl esters and acrylic esters (R; COOR'), alkaline hydrolysis followed by gas chromatographic determination of the acids and alcohols being formed is more advantageous.