Polymerization
Polymerization
Polymerization (pronunciation: /ˌpɒlɪməraɪˈzeɪʃən/) is a process of reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reaction to form polymer chains or three-dimensional networks.
Etymology
The term "polymerization" comes from the Greek words "poly" meaning many, and "meros" meaning parts. It was first used in the mid-19th century to describe the process of creating a polymer from monomers.
Types of Polymerization
There are two basic types of polymerization: addition polymerization and condensation polymerization.
- Addition Polymerization: In addition polymerization, the monomers add together to form a polymer without the loss of any other atoms. This type of polymerization often involves the formation of a free radical to initiate the reaction.
- Condensation Polymerization: In condensation polymerization, the monomers join together to form a polymer and a small molecule such as water or methanol is eliminated.
Related Terms
- Monomer: A molecule that can join together with other molecules to form a polymer.
- Polymer: A large molecule composed of many repeated subunits, known as monomers.
- Free Radical: A molecule with an unpaired electron, which is highly reactive.
- Addition Polymerization: A type of polymerization in which the monomers simply add together to form a polymer, with no other products.
- Condensation Polymerization: A type of polymerization in which the monomers join together to form a polymer and a small molecule is eliminated.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Polymerization
- Wikipedia's article - Polymerization
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