Structure-based nomenclature for irregular single-strand organic polymers

Abstract

There is no accepted practice for the naming of many types of irregular polymers. This document describes a structure-based nomenclature system for irregular single-strand organic polymers, i.e., single-strand organic polymers that can be described by the repetition of more than one type of constitutional unit or that comprise constitutional units not all connected identically with respect to directional sense. The new system names irregular polymers for which the source-based system is inadequate, e.g., polymers that have undergone partial chemical modification, homopolymers having both head-to-tail and head-to-head arrangements of monomeric units, and polymers derived from a single monomer that can provide more than one kind of monomeric unit. In addition, it provides a structure-based alternative to source-based nomenclature for copolymers. Irregular polymers, oligomers, or blocks are named by placing the prefix “poly” before the structure-based names of the constitutional units; the latter are collectively enclosed in parentheses, with the names of the component constitutional units separated by oblique strokes. Block copolymers are named by using dashes for the bonding of blocks with each other and with junction units. With graft and star polymers, the grafts or the arms, respectively, are considered to be substituents to the main chain, and the structure is named in the same way as a regular or irregular polymer. © 1994, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.