The molecular weight distribution for chain polymerization plus side reaction

The kinetics of chain polymerization is investigated for the case of a complicating side reaction. In addition to the polymerization reaction, A_i + M → A_i+1, there is a reversible side reaction, A_i + Q ↔ B_i. Initiation is assumed to be instantaneous. The monomer concentration M, and the concentration of the reacting species Q, are assumed to be constant. The reaction kinetics are solved exactly, yielding the distribution of living and dormant polymer, as well as the molecular weight distribution, as explicit functions of the reaction rate constants and the time. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1711–1725, 1997