Molecular-weight distribution of linear polycondensation polymers. Flory theory

The logic of the conclusion of P. Flory regarding the molecular-weight distribution functions of polymers obtained through various types of linear polycondensation was reproduced. It was shown that the reason for the multi-year discussion regarding the correctness of applying this theory to equilibrium polycondensation was an overestimation in several studies of the role of exchange reactions involving the highest polymer molecular fractions in this process. It was emphasized that the independence of the reactivity of end functional groups from the macromolecule size during polycondensation and the independence of the chain-growth reaction rate constant in the polymerization processes, which also produced an exponential macromolecule size-distribution function, were different in principle. Attention was paid to the possibility derived from the theory of P. Flory of preparing linear polymers with during irreversible polycondensation in the presence of monofunctional dibasic chain-length regulators.