polymerization
Building macromolecule chains
Polymerization is the chemical process by which small molecules called monomers link together to form long chain molecules called polymers.
The process creates materials like plastics, rubber, and nylon.
The polymerization of ethylene produces polyethylene, one of the most common plastics.
Natural polymerization also occurs in living things—proteins are polymers of amino acids.
Chain-forming molecule
- initiatorOne who starts something
- catalystAgent enabling change
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- propagationAct of spreading widely
termination · initiation · addition · condensation · kinetics · anionic · cationic · ring-opening
Heat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- thermosetPermanently cross-linked polymer
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- resinViscous plant secretion
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
polypropylene · polystyrene · PVC · nylon · PET · polycarbonate · ABS · HDPE
Vertebral column, or courage
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
- crosslinkingChemical bonds between polymers
- copolymerMulti-monomer molecular chain
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
degree · linearity · network · graft · block · random · alternating
Pushing through a die
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
- injectionSyringe-delivered dose
- thermoformingShaping softened plastic sheets
- compoundingElements merging progressively
vulcanization · fabrication · manufacturing · batch · continuous · reactor · scale-up · additives
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- RNAGene expression molecule
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- proteinFolded amino chain
transcription · replication · elongation · nucleotide · ribosome · template · polysaccharide · cellulose
monomer
Chain-forming molecule
propagation · termination · initiation · addition · condensation · kinetics · anionic · cationic · ring-opening · living
thermoplastic
Heat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- thermosetPermanently cross-linked polymer
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- resinViscous plant secretion
polyethylene · polypropylene · polystyrene · PVC · nylon · PET · polycarbonate · ABS · HDPE · acrylic
backbone
Vertebral column, or courage
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
- crosslinkingChemical bonds between polymers
- copolymerMulti-monomer molecular chain
sequence · degree · linearity · network · graft · block · random · alternating
extrusion
Pushing through a die
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
- injectionSyringe-delivered dose
- thermoformingShaping softened plastic sheets
compounding · vulcanization · fabrication · manufacturing · batch · continuous · reactor · scale-up · additives · stabilizers
polymerase
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
protein · transcription · replication · elongation · nucleotide · ribosome · template · polysaccharide · cellulose · collagen
- Alkene Reactionshydrogenation, bromination, chlorination, fluorination, Diels-Alder
- plasticsplastics, plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene
- chemical reactionscondensation, combustion, oxidation, hydrolysis, oxidation-reduction
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- organic chemistrybenzene ring, carbon chain, carbon compounds, hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon
- synthesissyntheses, combination, combining, blending, fusion
polymerizationdepolymerization
Polymer breakdown into monomers
depolymerizing · degradation · decomposition · photodegradation · hydrolysis