Gel formation with multiple interunit junctions. I—Molecules carrying different functional groups

Number‐ and weight‐average molecular weight of condensation polymers formed by primary molecules carrying different species of functional groups {A_i} (i = 1, 2, …, s) are derived by cascade theory. These functional groups are allowed to form multiple junctions of variable multiplicity k. The gel point condition is found to be given by ∑ w_i/|μ_w,i + 1/∑ f_i ? 1 = 0, where f_i is the number of A_i groups specified by the index i on a primary molecule, w_i ≡ f_i/∑ f_i the number fraction of the species i it carries, and |μ_w,i the weight average multiplicity of the junctions formed by the groups A_i. The explicit form of the molecular weight distribution function is found for the simplest case of two components. Possible application to thermoreversible gelation is suggested. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2405–2412, 2003