Equilibria in interpolyelectrolyte reactions and the phenomenon of molecular "recognition" in solutions of interpolyelectrolyte complexes

The results of studies on the equilibria in interpolyelectrolyte reactions occurring in homogeneous aqueous solutions of linear synthetic polyelectrolytes bearing unlike charges and accompanied by the transfer of polyions are described. The influence of the chemical nature of low-molecular-weight ions and also of the chemical nature, linear charge density, and the degree of polymerisation of polyelectrolytes on equilibria in interpolyelectrolyte exchange and substitution is analysed. The phenomenon of the molecular "recognition" of one set of polyions by others is described and the factors leading to the selective binding of polyelectrolytes are indicated. The bibliography includes 93 references.