Electron Spin Resonance Spectra, Conformation, and Chemical Properties of Free Radicals in Solid Polymers

The structure and the chemical properties of polymeric radicals having their free valency on a carbon atom in the main chain are surveyed. Most of the information on radicals in solid polymers has been obtained by electron spin resonance. The first part of the review gives a detailed analysis of the hyperfine structure of the e.s.r. spectra, which is closely related to the structure and the conformation of the radicals. The second part deals with the chemical behaviour of polymeric radicals in solid matrices at low temperatures (80–300°K). All the data relate to radicals from polymers of the vinyl series, polyoxides, and polyamides. A list of 112 references is given.