Stereospecificity and electric polarization in high polymers

The electric polarization of a polymer is shown to depend upon the steric order along the chain. This is in accord with the previously observed electric polarization behavior of diastereomers. Solution measurements of the molar polarization of polymethyl methacrylates in benzene gave values of 32 ± 0.5 cc./mole for syndiotactic, and 41 ± 0.5 cc./mole for isotactic material, with atactic polymer showing intermediate values. It is believed therefore that the polarizability method can form a means of differentiating and interpreting the behavior of polar stereospecific polymers.