9310642 Rinaldi This research deals with studies on the application of novel, recently developed nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to polymer structure characterization problems. Simple problems concerning polymer modification chemistry and copolymerization chemistry will be explored initially to allow the nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to be perfected and to provide experience in their application. Later, more complex problems will be investigated. The studies will be conducted by Professor Peter Rinaldi whose specialty is nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Professor H. James Harwood jointly whose specialty is in synthesizing polymers and applying chemical and physical techniques to problems of polymer microstructure characterization. New nuclear magnetic resonance techniques developed in Professor Rinaldl's laboratory will permit selective observation of structurally important polymer fragments, and will permit extraction of long-range structural information not previously obtainable by other means. These techniques are ideally suited for polymer characterization studies that require the detection of labeled nuclei that are present in low concentration in these polymers. It is expected that these studies will bring forth new information on detailed polymer structure as a function of polymerization method. ***
