Proton NMR studies of the structure of trans-(CH)x

The proton NMR line width in undoped and AsF₅ doped polyacetylene shows an abrupt change as a function of temperature, indicative of motional narrowing. The characteristic temperature for the onset of narrowing decreases with increasing AsF₅ concentration. The results are discussed in terms of large amplitude librational or translational motions of the trans-(CH)_x chains. The magnitudes obtained for the second moment at temperatures below and above the narrowing transition are used to obtain information on the chain packing of trans-(CH)_x within the three-dimensional crystal structure.