The theoretical contribution of the science of polymers

It was Hermann Staudinger (1881-1965), director of the Institute of Chemistry in Freiburg, who in 1920 set up the studies on the structure and properties of natural and synthetic polymers (cellulose, isoprene). He disagreed with the current theories on polymers as associated compounds held together by secondary valencies, and proposed, for syntethic polymers of styrene and formaldehyde and for natural rubber, the formula of open chains, which today is accepted by everyone. He attributed the colloidal properties of other polymers exclusively to their high molecular weight and proposed calling them macromolecules. Staudinger’s theories were not accepted by everyone and the debate continued into the 1920’s. Experimental demostrations destroyed the opposing arguments, especially after the x-rays of various polymers and the synthetic work of W.H.Carothers, which showed the linear structure of the macromolecules. These clarifications were the basic of macromolecular chemistry on a scientific level, and not at the chance level as had happened with Parkes and Hyatt.

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