Chain-growth polymerization

A polymerization in which monomers add successively to active chain ends, producing polymer chains without requiring reaction between growing chains.

Initiation (polymer chemistry): The step that creates an active site capable of starting a polymer chain. Initiation generates the active chain end that begins successive monomer addition.
Polymerization: A chemical process that joins monomers into polymer molecules. Chain growth is one broad mode of polymer formation.
Step-growth polymerization: A polymerization in which molecules of any size can react through complementary functional groups. It forms high-molecular-weight chains through intermolecular reactions rather than active-end propagation.
Polyethylene: A thermoplastic polymer made from ethylene and used in films, containers, pipes, and insulation. Ethylene chain growth produces one of the world's most widely used plastics.
Propagation (polymer chemistry): The repeated addition of monomer units to a growing polymer chain. Propagation is the defining step that lengthens chains in this process.
Monomer: A small molecule that can join with others to form a polymer. Its structure determines whether successive addition to an active end is possible.
Condensation polymerization: Polymer formation through reactions that commonly release small molecules such as water or methanol. Many condensation polymers form by step growth, contrasting with typical chain-growth addition.
Polystyrene: A polymer of styrene used in rigid products, foams, and packaging. Styrene is converted to polystyrene through chain-growth polymerization.
Termination (polymer chemistry): A reaction that destroys active chain ends and stops polymer-chain growth. Termination ends growth without requiring growing chains to react with one another.
Active center (polymer chemistry): A reactive site on a polymer chain that enables further monomer addition. The active center is the site that makes chain growth proceed.

Linked from 16 pages