Sequential analysis by cooperative reactions on copolymers. III. Second-order Markovian chains with arbitrary protection

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Abstract
We develop an exact theory for the kinetics of reactions on long linear binary copolymers. Both monomer types are assumed to exert specific cooperative effects in the sense that after a unit has reacted, the reactivities of the adjacent two monomer units are changed. Hence the reaction pattern depends upon the sequential structure of the copolymer, here assumed to be a second‐order Markov chain. Special results, previously obtained by different methods, including reaction kinetics on homopolymers, are recovered. The limits of the extents of reaction for long times, t→∞,when one monomer type protects completely, are very important for sequential analysis of copolymers. We study them in detail for random, Markovian, and second‐order Markovian structures as functions of the partial protection by the other monomer type, of the initial rate constants, and of the structure parameters. Interesting effects appear.