Theory of Depolymerization of Long Chain Molecules

Abstract

A theory of depolymerization of long chain molecules is developed on a statistical basis. It is assumed that all bonds connecting monomeric elements in the system have the same probability of being broken regardless of their position in a given polymer and regardless of the size of the polymer in which they are found. Expressions are derived for the distribution of molecular sizes in the depolymerized system as a function of the initial chain length and the average number of bonds split per molecule. Also, relationships are established between the average molecular weight of the degraded product and the average number of bonds split per molecule. Experiments on the acetolytic degradation of cellulose acetate are briefly discussed.