The Solution and Solid State NMR Analyses of Synthetic Polymers

The NMR analyses of synthetic polymers in solution and in the solid state are now standard methods of characterization in most polymer chemistry laboratories. In this talk we will survey some of the NMR techniques which have proven to be especially useful in understanding the structure and chain dynamics of polymer systems. It will be demonstrated that both solution and solid state measurements are necessary to obtain a complete understanding of a specific polymer system. The knowledge which one obtains from the NMR analysis of the polymer can lead to an understanding of the relationship between the structures and the properties of that polymer. Such information is valuable not only in efforts to understand the fundamental properties and behavior of synthetic polymers but also in the development of devices employing such materials and in the design of new materials.