Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAIN GROWTH (ADDITION) POLYMERIZATION
Monomers contain double bonds and add end to end
Requires an initiator
Very fast reaction — up to 10
4
times faster than condensation poly-
merization
No small molecules split out
Exothermic
Chain growth polymerization, sometimes called
addition polymerization
,
involves monomers containing a carbon-carbon double bond, CH
=CHX.
Polymerization occurs by the propagation of the reactive site down a growing
chain. The reactive site may be a free radical, an ion, or a metal complex.
Once a chain is initiated, monomer units add to the growing chain very
rapidly to give a fully-grown polymer chain. During chain growth polymer-
ization, heat is released. Such a reaction that releases heat is said to be
2
exothermic
.
