Addition polymerization

Addition polymerization is a polymerization technique where monomer molecules add on to a growing polymer chain one at a time.

Related Topics:
Polymerization - Monomer - Polymer

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The main characteristics are:

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• polymerization process takes place in three distinct steps:
• chain initiation
• chain propagation
• chain termination
• no small molecules are eliminated in this process like in condensation polymerization.
• new monomer adds on the growing polymer chain via the reactive active centre
• High molecular weight polymer is formed at low conversion (in contrast to condensation polymerization, also known as step-growth polymerization
• The active centre can be a
• free radical in free radical addition polymerization
• carbocation in cationic addition polymerization
• carbanion in anionic addition polymerization
• organometallic complex in coordination polymerization
• a monomer molecule can be a
• unsaturated compound like ethylene or acetylene which make them reactive.
• Alicyclic compound see ring-opening polymerization
• require an initiator to start the chemical process
• Given special reactants and reaction conditions an addition polymerization can be considered a living polymerization.
 
Addition polymerization: Random examples ►