2. Conformational statistics

Due to the huge variety of macromolecular linkages, these offer a wide range of conformations, from the rigid rod, as in the case of polyaromatic chains, or single- or multi-catenary helical structures (as in the case of certain polysaccharides, polypeptides and polynucleotides in aqueous media), to the statistical ball characterized by a very large number of conformational states relative to rotational isomerism (e.g. aliphatic chains).

Overall, conformational analysis of the isolated macromolecular chain requires consideration of interactions at two distinct levels:

• short-range interactions, which define the chain's intrinsic rigidity: these relate to the valence angles between adjacent segments of the backbone, as well as to the steric hindrances to rotation caused by the different groups;

• ...