On the possibility of chain folding in solutions of normal paraffins and polyethylene

A simple statistical thermodynamic argument is presented in which the probability of intramolecular chain folding of normal paraffins and polyethylene in solution is examined. This possibility is based on the existence of low‐energy intramolecular conformations which are stable enough to overcome the tendency of a chain molecule to assume a random arrangement in solution. Some rough estimates of the magnitudes of energetic interaction in straight‐chain hydrocarbons are made to demonstrate the plausibility of this hypothesis. The experimental support for this model arises from NMR spectra of normal paraffins in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents.