Identification of a stereoblock poly(methyl methacrylate) sample with a stereocomplex

Acid hydrolysis of a stereoblock poly(methyl methacrylate) sample leads to a mixture of isotactic and syndiotactic poly(methacrylic acid) which can be separated by electrophoresis. The experiment confirms the stereochemical identity between the so-called “stereoblock” poly(methyl methacrylate) and the stereocomplex which syndiotactic and isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) form in the ratio 2:1. A possible mechanism of replica polymerization is suggested to account for this effect.