300 MHz 1H-NMR study of poly(propylene sulfide)

An ¹H 300-MHz NMR spectroscopic study of deuterated poly(propylene sulfide) shows that methylene protons are sensitive to triad effects. It was possible to distinguish i, h_i, s, and h_s triads. Experimental values found for different polymers are in good agreement with theoretical amounts obtained from statistical probability calculation. The methyl groups are also slightly stereosensitive. By using optically active deuterated monomers with different R/S ratios it was possible to confirm the assignment of peaks and the tacticity. Nondeuterated polymers give very complicated spectra, and only the highly stereoregular polymer could be analyzed through its ABCX₃ spin system.