On the clathrate forms of syndiotactic poly(p-methylstyrene)

A classification for clathrate structures of syndiotactic poly(p-methylstyrene) in two classes (α and β), on the basis of X-ray diffraction analyses as well as of the different observed behavior with respect to the thermal and acetone treatment, is presented. A structural correlation between α and β class clathrates and forms I and II, respectively, is evidenced. It is also suggested that form I and form II could be the “emptied forms” of the α and β class clathrates, respectively. Similar steric hindrance of the molecules inducing clathrate structures, within each class has been observed.