7.2.8

Addition Polymers

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Addition Polymerisation

Addition polymerisation is the joining of short-chain monomers to produce one long-chain polymer.

Illustrative background for What are the monomers in addition polymerisation?Illustrative background for What are the monomers in addition polymerisation? ?? "content

What are the monomers in addition polymerisation?

  • Alkenes are the monomers used in addition polymerisation.
  • This is because the carbon-carbon double bonds in alkenes can open up to allow multiple alkenes to join together.
Illustrative background for What are the products of addition polymerisation?Illustrative background for What are the products of addition polymerisation? ?? "content

What are the products of addition polymerisation?

  • In addition polymerisation, the polymer is the only product of the reaction.
  • This means that the repeating unit has exactly the same atoms as the monomer.

Examples of Addition Polymerisation

Naming addition polymers is very simple. Start with 'poly' and then put brackets around the name of the monomer.

Illustrative background for Poly(ethene)Illustrative background for Poly(ethene) ?? "content

Poly(ethene)

  • When ethene monomers undergo addition polymerisation, poly(ethene) is the product.
Illustrative background for Poly(propene)Illustrative background for Poly(propene) ?? "content

Poly(propene)

  • When propene monomers undergo addition polymerisation, poly(propene) is the product.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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