Some solution properties of isotactic and atactic polystyrenes

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Abstract
Results of viscometric and osmotic measurements as well as solubility experiments with isotactic and atactic polystyrene fractions are reported. The relation between [η] and M was not found to be different for the two types of polymer. On the contrary, the second virial coefficients B in toluene are appreciably different. Calculated values of the “limiting interaction affinity” φE in toluene and the results of solubility experiments in MEK and in toluene–methanol mixtures show that atactic polystyrene is always more soluble than isotactic polystyrene, regardless of whether the latter is in the crystalline or in amorphous (metastable) state. MEK is shown to be a selective solvent in the separation of the two types of polystyrene. The measure of B or φE is suggested as a possible measure of the isotaxy.