Preface to the First Edition Physical chemistry has been defined as that branch of science that is fundamental,molecular, and interesting.I have tried to write a polymer textbook that could be described this way also.To the extent that one subscribes to the former definition and that I have succeeded in the latter objective,then the approach of this book is physical chemical.As a textbook,it is intended for students who have completed courses in physical and organic chemistry.These are the prerequi- sites that define the level of the book;no special background in physics or mathematics beyond what is required for physical chemistry is assumed.Since chemistry majors generally study physical chemistry in the third year of the undergraduate curriculum,this book can serve as the text for a senior-level undergraduate or a beginning graduate-level course.Although I use chemistry courses and chemistry curricula to describe the level of this book,students majoring in engineering,materials science,physics,and various specialties in the biological sciences will also find numerous topics of interest contained herein. Terms like“fundamental,”“molecular,”and“interesting'have different meanings for different people.Let me explain how they apply to the presentation of polymer chemistry in this text. The words“basic concepts”in the title define what I mean by“fundamental.”This is the primary emphasis in this presentation.Practical applications of polymers are cited frequently- after all,it is these applications that make polymers such an important class of chemicals-but in overall content,the stress is on fundamental principles."Foundational"might be another way to describe this.I have not attempted to cover all aspects of polymer science,but the topics that have been discussed lay the foundation-built on the bedrock of organic and physical chemistry-from which virtually all aspects of the subject are developed.There is an enormous literature in polymer science;this book is intended to bridge the gap between the typical undergraduate background in polymers-which frequently amounts to little more than occasional "relevant"examples in other courses-and the professional literature on the subject.Accordingly,the book assumes essentially no prior knowledge of polymers,and extends far enough to provide a usable level of understanding. "Molecular"describes the perspective of the chemist,and it is this aspect of polymeric materials that I try to keep in view throughout the book.An engineering text might emphasize processing behavior;a physics text,continuum mechanics;a biochemistry text,physiological function.All of these are perfectly valid points of view,but they are not the approach of this book.It is polymer molecules-their structure,energetics,dynamics,and reactions-that are the primary emphasis throughout most of the book.Statistics is the type of mathematics that is natural to a discussion of molecules.Students are familiar with the statistical nature of,say,the kinetic molecular theory of gases.Similar methods are applied to other assemblies of molecules,or in the case of polymers,to the assembly of repeat units that comprise a single polymer molecule. Although we frequently use statistical arguments,these are developed quite thoroughly and do not assume any more background in this subject than is ordinarily found among students in a physical chemistry course. viiPreface to the First Edition Physical chemistry has been defined as that branch of science that is fundamental, molecular, and interesting. I have tried to write a polymer textbook that could be described this way also. To the extent that one subscribes to the former definition and that I have succeeded in the latter objective, then the approach of this book is physical chemical. As a textbook, it is intended for students who have completed courses in physical and organic chemistry. These are the prerequi￾sites that define the level of the book; no special background in physics or mathematics beyond what is required for physical chemistry is assumed. Since chemistry majors generally study physical chemistry in the third year of the undergraduate curriculum, this book can serve as the text for a senior-level undergraduate or a beginning graduate-level course. Although I use chemistry courses and chemistry curricula to describe the level of this book, students majoring in engineering, materials science, physics, and various specialties in the biological sciences will also find numerous topics of interest contained herein. Terms like ‘‘fundamental,’’ ‘‘molecular,’’ and ‘‘interesting’’ have different meanings for different people. Let me explain how they apply to the presentation of polymer chemistry in this text. The words ‘‘basic concepts’’ in the title define what I mean by ‘‘fundamental.’’ This is the primary emphasis in this presentation. Practical applications of polymers are cited frequently– after all, it is these applications that make polymers such an important class of chemicals–but in overall content, the stress is on fundamental principles. ‘‘Foundational’’ might be another way to describe this. I have not attempted to cover all aspects of polymer science, but the topics that have been discussed lay the foundation–built on the bedrock of organic and physical chemistry–from which virtually all aspects of the subject are developed. There is an enormous literature in polymer science; this book is intended to bridge the gap between the typical undergraduate background in polymers–which frequently amounts to little more than occasional ‘‘relevant’’ examples in other courses–and the professional literature on the subject. Accordingly, the book assumes essentially no prior knowledge of polymers, and extends far enough to provide a usable level of understanding. ‘‘Molecular’’ describes the perspective of the chemist, and it is this aspect of polymeric materials that I try to keep in view throughout the book. An engineering text might emphasize processing behavior; a physics text, continuum mechanics; a biochemistry text, physiological function. All of these are perfectly valid points of view, but they are not the approach of this book. It is polymer molecules–their structure, energetics, dynamics, and reactions–that are the primary emphasis throughout most of the book. Statistics is the type of mathematics that is natural to a discussion of molecules. Students are familiar with the statistical nature of, say, the kinetic molecular theory of gases. Similar methods are applied to other assemblies of molecules, or in the case of polymers, to the assembly of repeat units that comprise a single polymer molecule. Although we frequently use statistical arguments, these are developed quite thoroughly and do not assume any more background in this subject than is ordinarily found among students in a physical chemistry course. Hiemenz/ Polymer Chemistry, 2nd Edition DK4670_C000 Final Proof page vii 5.11.2007 8:20pm Compositor Name: JGanesan vii