Chain Copolymerization Reactions: An Algorithm To Predict the Reaction Evolution with Conversion

The theoretical understanding of kinetic curves is an important area of macromolecular chemistry. Modeling of these curves is important for polymer synthesis. To theoretically predict the evolution of a binary copolymerization reaction that follows the terminal model, an algorithm using the exact solution of the differential equation of this kinetic model is presented. The algorithm has been programmed in Basic language and named Conversion. The basis of the algorithm, as well as its evaluation using four different model reactions, is discussed. Conversion is a useful tool to study the behavior of chain copolymerization reactions. Moreover, the use of computer programs helps teachers and students better understand the principles and practical considerations involved in the study of polymer science.