Development of the Theory of Chain Reactions and Analysis of Relatively Recently Studied Chain Processes

The history of the formation and development of the theory of chain reactions is briefly presented. In specific examples the mechanisms of branched chain processes, conditions inhibiting and accelerating chain reactions, criteria characterizing the chain nature of chemical processes are described. The modern state in the development of the theory of chain reactions is analyzed. The mechanisms describing regularities of formation of molecular products of the chain processes occurring in different systems with the use of different initiators at different conditions are discussed. A summary of the radical-chain character of the radiation sewing of elastomers /non stitched rubbers/ at high pressures (2 GPa) and at temperatures above 300°K is provided and the ionic character of this process at low temperatures (77°K) has been studied. Mechanisms of photolythic and radiolytic processes transformations of any organic pollutants and natural toxins in oxygen-free and oxygen-containing aqueous solutions are proposed. Significant decomposition of natural toxins is observed under influence of ionizing radiation of 60 Co source. The short description of the revealed chain processes proceeding in gaseous, liquid, amorphous and solid phases is provided. These studies are an essential contribution to researches in the field of studying of chain chemical processes.