Basic Definitions of Terms Relating to Polymers

Abstract

PREAMBLE In the growing field of polymer science, structure-based concepts have received increasing emphasis in the past decades. As a consequence, many of the basic definitions have required refinement. This report updates and supersedes portions of the 1952 and later reports of the Sub-Commission on Nomenclature of the IUPAC Commission on Macromolecules ,b,C.d as well as that of the present Commission2. The present report is intended to serve the needs of those working in the fundamental areas of polymer science, although the existence of a con-siderable overlap between the areas of fundamental and applied polymer science is recognized. For definitions in the field of plastics, readers are referred to the ISO Recommendations3. For the presentation of clear concepts, idealized definitions are required. At the same time, the realities of polymer science must be faced. Real polymers deviate more or less from ideality on the molecular as well as on the bulk levels. In these definitions, such deviations are neglected. Nevertheless, the definitions given here can be applied as well to the predominating structural features of real polymer molecules. Two broad sets of definitions are presented. One of these is based on the structure of polymer molecules and the other on the processes by which polymeric substances come into being. The first type of definition is termed 'structure-based' and the second 'process-based'. The primary definition of polymer is structure-based. The process-based set of definitions is linked to the primary definition of polymer through the definitions of the term polymer-ization and monomer. All other definitions are derived from these terms.