The MSDS HyperGlossary: Polymerization

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Polymerization

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Definition

A polymer is a substance made up of many repeating units (called monomer units). Polymers are usually distinguished by a high molar mass (formula weight), often ranging into thousands or millions of grams per formula unit.
Polymerization is the process by which monomers (smaller chemical units) are combined to form a polymer.
Oligomers are polymers that have the repeating motif of the corresponding polymer but are typically much shorter. Most scientists reserve the term to molecules that contain only a few repeat units and therefore have physical properties different than the corresponding "full length" polymer. Oligomers often undergo further reaction to form polymers and can be considered intermediates in the polymerization process.

Additional Info

Examples of everyday monomers and their polymers include:

Ethylene (C₂H₄) is a highly flammable gaseous molecule with a formula weight (molar mass) of 32 grams per mol. When polymerized using a catalyst, carbon-carbon bonds are formed between the former monomer units, resulting in the formation of very long straight chains of CH₂ units. The resulting polyethylene is an insoluble white solid with desirable plastic properties. Polyethylene is a widely used commodity plastic and the simplest example of a polyalkene (also called polyolefin).

Nylon™ is formed from the condensation polymerization of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid by loss of water:

polymerization reaction leading to Nylon™

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SDS Relevance

Polymerization of monomers is often an exothermic process (one that evolves heat). If polymerization begins when it is not desired, the result could be a fire or explosion. Materials that can spontaneously polymerize will usually list "hazardous polymerization" as a hazard in Section 10 (stability and reactivity) of their Safety Data Sheet.

Undesired polymerization of a monomer alters the physical properties of the material and could result in undesired changes. One fortunate example of this was the discovery of Teflon™ (the DuPont® trademark for poly(tetrafluoroethylene)) as a white solid in what was supposed to be a cylinder of gaseous tetrafluoroethylene. See the Further Reading below for more on this unlikely discovery.