CONVERSION DEPENDENCE OF THE BRANCHING DENSITY FOR THE POLYCONDENSATION OF AB(N) MONOMERS

The distribution function of differently branched molecules resulting from the ideal statistic condensation of AB(2) functional monomers is calculated as a function of the conversion of the A. groups. For these distribution functions the averaged branching parameters DBF = (numbe r of terminal groups + number of dendritic groups)/degree of polymeriz ation and DBHF = number of dendritic groups/maximum number of dendriti c groups are calculated. In the more general case of AB(n) polycondens ates, equations are given to calculate the weight fraction of branched units directly from the degree of A-group conversion. Additionally, e xpressions for the polycondensations kinetics are derived, yielding th e conversion and the degree of polymerization as a function of time.