Study flashcards for Polymers, Summaries of Engineering

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Polymer A large molecule made of many repeating small units (monomers). Monomer A small molecule that joins with others to form a polymer. Repeating Unit

The structural unit that repeats along the polymer chain. Functionality Number of bonding sites available on a molecule. Monofunctional Molecule with one bonding site.

Straight chain polymer formed from bifunctional monomers. Branched Polymer Polymer with side chains attached to the main chain. Crossnlinked Polymer Network polymer where chains are chemically linked.

Homopolymer Polymer made from one type of monomer. Copolymer Polymer made from two different monomers. Random Copolymer

Graft Copolymer Side chains of one polymer attached to backbone of another. Condensation Polymerization Step reaction that releases a small molecule (e.g., water). Addition Polymerization

Chain reaction where monomers add to a growing chain; no bynproduct. RingnOpening Polymerization Polymerization of cyclic monomers after ring cleavage. ChainnReaction Polymerization Addition of unsaturated molecules to a rapidly growing chain.

Reaction that stops chain growth. Combination Termination Two radicals join to form one polymer. Disproportionation Atom transfer between radicals producing two polymers.

Chain Transfer Active chain transfers activity to another molecule; shortens chains. Diene Polymerization Polymerization of conjugated dienes via double bonds. RatenLimiting Step (FRP)

Anionic Polymerization Chain growth via negative ions (carbanions). Lewis Acid Catalysts Electronnacceptor catalysts used in cationic polymerization. ElectronnWithdrawing Groups

Substituents that favor anionic polymerization (e.g., –CN, –COOR).