RHEOLOGICAL STUDY OF A BICOPPER TETRACARBOXYLATE DECALIN JELLY/

The theological properties of jellies of a binuclear copper(II)-tetrac arboxylate complex in decalin have been investigated as a function of temperature The results are analyzed in the framework of living polyme rs. It is shown that the theory of living polymers can describe the sy stem under certain conditions, that is below a given transition temper ature T-trans. Above T-trans the theory of living polymers does not ap ply any longer. Below T-trans it is suggested that a low degree of phy sical gelation takes place. The system is better described as thermore versible (physical) ''living'' gel, where physical junctions are Liabl e to play the role of entanglements. The reasons why the theory worked out for ''living'' polymers can be used below T-trans is discussed.