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CHEM 121 Studioby Learn4Less · UBC CHEM 121

CHEM 121 glossary

Monomer

A small molecule that links with many others to build a polymer. Addition monomers contain a C=C double bond; condensation monomers carry two functional groups (for example –COOH and –OH, or –COOH and –NH₂).

Styrene: the vinyl C=C opens to make polystyrene.

Example

Vinyl chloride, CHX2=CHCl\ce{CH2=CHCl}, is the monomer of PVC; ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid are the two monomers of PET.

See alsoPolymerRepeat unitFunctional group