Infrared spectra of high polymers. VI. Polystyrene Presented in part at the American Physical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March, 1957.

Abstract

The infrared spectrum of polystyrene has been obtained in the region of 70 cm. −1 to 3200 cm. −1 . These data, plus Raman scattering data from the literature, are used to make a complete assignment of the normal modes of the polystyrene molecule. The benzene ring modes have been analyzed in detail in terms of C 2 v symmetry, and a set of normal vibrations has been proposed. On the basis of previous analyses of the benzene and monosubstituted benzenes, and a study of the combination bands, it has been possible to make a fairly satisfactory assignment of all of the benzene ring fundamentals. Assignments of the CH 2 , CH, and skeletal modes are made on the basis of previous studies of spectra of high polymers. The interpretation of the spectrum is in agreement with other evidence that the chain configuration is a random one, i.e. , that the polymer is amorphous.