Monomer
A monomer (/ˈmɒnəmər/ MON-ə-mər; mono-, "one" + -mer, "part") is a molecule that can react together with other monomer molecules to form a larger polymer chain or three-dimensional network in a process called polymerization.[1][2][3]
Monomer molecule: A molecule which can undergo polymerization, thereby contributing constitutional units to the essential structure of a macromolecule.[4]
Classification
Chemistry classifies monomers by type, and two broad classes based on the type of polymer they form.
By type:
- natural vs synthetic, e.g. glycine vs caprolactam, respectively
- polar vs nonpolar, e.g. vinyl acetate vs ethylene, respectively
- cyclic vs linear, e.g. ethylene oxide vs ethylene glycol, respectively
By type of polymer they form:
- those that participate in condensation polymerization
- those that participate in addition polymerization
Differing stoichiometry[5] causes each class to create its respective form of polymer.
The
Synthetic monomers
- Ethylene gas (H2C=CH2) is the monomer for polyethylene.
- Other modified ethylene derivatives include:
- Teflon
- PVC
- styrene (C6H5CH=CH2) which leads to polystyrene
- Epoxide monomers may be cross linked with themselves, or with the addition of a co-reactant, to form epoxy
- BPA is the monomer precursor for polycarbonate
- Terephthalic acid is a comonomer that, with ethylene glycol, forms polyethylene terephthalate.
- Dimethylsilicon dichloride is a monomer that, upon hydrolysis, gives polydimethylsiloxane.
- Ethyl methacrylate is an acrylic monomer that, when combined with an acrylic polymer, catalyzes and forms an acrylate plastic used to create artificial nail extensions
Biopolymers
The term "monomeric
Natural monomers
Some of the main biopolymers are listed below:
Amino acids
For proteins, the monomers are amino acids. Polymerization occurs at ribosomes. Usually about 20 types of amino acid monomers are used to produce proteins. Hence proteins are not homopolymers.
Nucleotides
For polynucleic acids (DNA/RNA), the monomers are nucleotides, each of which is made of a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group. Nucleotide monomers are found in the cell nucleus. Four types of nucleotide monomers are precursors to DNA and four different nucleotide monomers are precursors to RNA.
For carbohydrates, the monomers are monosaccharides. The most abundant natural monomer is
Isoprene
Isoprene is a natural monomer that polymerizes to form a natural rubber, most often cis-1,4-polyisoprene, but also trans-1,4-polymer. Synthetic rubbers are often based on butadiene, which is structurally related to isoprene.
See also
- Protein subunit
- List of publications in polymer chemistry
- Prepolymer
Notes
- ISBN 0-412-22170-5
- ^ International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, et al. (2000) IUPAC Gold Book, Polymerization
- ISBN 978-0-19-850346-0.
- .
- ISBN 978-0-08-011891-8.
- ISBN 978-0-8153-4105-5.
- ^ Ebuengan, Kaye. "Biomolecules: Classification and structural properties of carbohydrates". Academia.edu.