Chemical reactions for the investigation of structure and properties of macromolecules

Chemical reactions are a useful tool in the investigation of structure and properties of macromolecules. They can be used to prove the tacticity of noncrystallizable polymers. The chain conformation of polymers and helix‐coil transformations in solution can be studied by spin labeling, introducing stable free radical groups into the polymers. Competition of inter‐ and intramolecular reactions of macromolecules gives information on interpenetration of coils. The structure of crosslinked polymers can be studied by chemical cleavage of the network.