Conformational contour maps of polypropylene and poly(methyl acrylate) have been examined by using full relaxation minimization under MM2 force field. Low energy paths along the potential surface were found for the meso and the racemic dyads. The side-group reorientation along the low energy pathways for both polymers was obtained. A 20° rotation was found for each methyl group of polypropylene. A large cooperative rotation, ∼130°, is needed for the two ester groups of poly(methyl acrylate) to climb the energy barrier.
