monomer
Single repeating unit
A monomer is a small molecule that can bond with identical or similar molecules to form a larger chain called a polymer.
Amino acids are monomers that link into proteins; glucose molecules are monomers that form starch.
The term comes from Greek roots meaning "single part," contrasting with polymer ("many parts").
Simplest alkene, C₂H₄
- styreneAromatic hydrocarbon for plastics
- vinyl chlorideToxic PVC monomer
- propyleneUnsaturated three-carbon hydrocarbon
- isopreneFive-carbon diene monomer
butadiene · acrylate · methacrylate · formaldehyde · phenol · acrylamide · chloroprene · epoxide
Bonded atomic group
- subunitPart of larger entity
- building blockBasic unit for construction
- chemical compoundBonded atoms forming substance
- molecular structureArrangement of atoms in compound
organic compound · molecular weight · chemical formula · covalent bond · unsaturated · saturated · aromatic
Two shared electron pairs
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- catalystAgent enabling change
- initiatorOne who starts something
- activation energyMinimum energy for transformation
kinetics · unsaturation · termination · grafting · curing
Self-sustaining causal sequence
Capable of being molded
- rubberElastic polymer from trees
- nylonSynthetic textile polymer
- polyesterSynthetic petroleum-based fabric
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
polypropylene · polystyrene · PVC · Teflon · acrylic · silicone · polyurethane · epoxy resin
ethylene
Simplest alkene, C₂H₄
- styreneAromatic hydrocarbon for plastics
- vinyl chlorideToxic PVC monomer
- propyleneUnsaturated three-carbon hydrocarbon
isoprene · butadiene · acrylate · methacrylate · formaldehyde · phenol · acrylamide · chloroprene · epoxide · lactic acid
molecule
Bonded atomic group
- subunitPart of larger entity
- building blockBasic unit for construction
- chemical compoundBonded atoms forming substance
molecular structure · organic compound · molecular weight · chemical formula · covalent bond · unsaturated · saturated · aromatic
double bond
Two shared electron pairs
activation energy · kinetics · unsaturation · termination · grafting · curing
chain reaction
Self-sustaining causal sequence
- copolymerMulti-monomer molecular chain
- oligomerShort chain of monomers
- dimerTwo-unit molecular assembly
trimer · propagation · crosslinking · branching · macromolecule
plastic
Capable of being molded
- rubberElastic polymer from trees
- nylonSynthetic textile polymer
- polyesterSynthetic petroleum-based fabric
polyethylene · polypropylene · polystyrene · PVC · Teflon · acrylic · silicone · polyurethane · epoxy resin · thermoplastic
- antibodiesantibody, antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, heavy chain, nanobodies
- chemicalschemicals, compounds, acids, reagents, solutions
- plasticsplastics, plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene
- mono- wordsmonochrome, monocle, monogram, monolith, monorail
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- organic chemistrybenzene ring, carbon chain, carbon compounds, hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon
monomerpolymer
Large repeated-unit molecule
macromolecule · polypeptide · polysaccharide · copolymer · polyethylene