"Results of molecular studies showed that, depending on the chemical composition, polyphosphates are either linear or branched flexible chain molecules. The branch points were easily destroyed by hydrolysis. Hydrolytic stability studies showed that the rate constants are much smaller for the splitting of internal bonds than for the hydrolysis near the chain ends, where both monomeric and trimeric rings are formed. The kinetic study of the degradation of sodium pentaphosphate was continued. Preliminary results indicated that, in the absence of calcium, the formation of each trimeric ring is accompanied by the formation of two orthophosphate rather than one pyrophosphate molecule. The influence of different univalent cations on the behavior of polyphosphates was studied by electrophoresis, conductivity, membrane equilibrium, and viscosity measurements. The effects of divalent ions were also studied."