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The object of this paper is to lay the foundations of the Theory of Dilute Macromolecular Solutions in a unified, simplified, and yet rigorous manner. It also aims to acquaint chemists and physicists with a field of rapidly increasing significance, in view of possible applications to biophysics (and biochemistry). The Introduction gives a brief outline of the historical development of macromolecular solution theory. Roughly, one can distinguish between (a) lattice- and (b) gas-type theories, just as in the theory of liquids. The former, because of their apparent simplicity, have enjoyed great popularity for a long time among polymer chemists. However, lately, again just as for liquids, the gas-type approach has been proven to be more fundamental. Our general approach is a proper adaptation and generalization of the gas-type theories of McMillan and Mayer and of Kirkwood and Buff. These were originally developed for simple (monomer) solutions. We use the cluster development of McMillan and Mayer, which itself is an adaptation of the original (Ursell)-Mayer cluster development. We then combine this procedure with the distribution function approach of Kirkwood and Buff. Section 2 brings the cluster development for the osmotic pressure. Section 3 generalizes the approach of Section 2 to distribution functions, including a new and simple derivation of the cluster expansion of the pair distribution function. Section 4 presents a new expression for the chemical potential of solvents in dilute solutions. Section 5 contains an application of our general solution theory to compact macromolecular molecules. Section 6 contains the second osmotic virial coefficient of flexible macromolecules, followed in Section 7 by concluding remarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has reviewed several studies, particularly those performed on the phosphate polymers, in which ionic forces were important in determining the properties or behavior of the material. Only very few properties were investigated; among these were 1) the glass transitions as a function of the molecular weight, the nature of the terminal group, and the nature of the counterion, 2) the viscoelastic properties as a function of the counterion and 3) the viscoelastic relaxation mechanism, with specific emphasis on the separation of the α and x mechanisms. In this treatment, a deliberate attempt was made to present pertinent theories, insofar as they exist, but it seems evident that here as much work remains to be done as on the experimental level, if not more. A host of other properties remain to be investigated quantitatively, although a beginning has certainly been made. These include the effect of various types of ionic interactions on organic materials (Sect. I-B) including both crystalline and amorphous polymers. Only bulk properties have been discussed here, but although the literature on polyelectrolyte solutions is voluminous, the transition region between these two areas, i.e., that of the plasticized ionic polymers, again has not received its due attention, perhaps due to the difficulties encountered in both the theoretical and experimental approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Calcified Tissue Research is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Calcified Tissue Research is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Calcified Tissue Research is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Calcified Tissue Research is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Calcified Tissue Research is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Calcified Tissue Research is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Calcified Tissue Research is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)