Lisäpolymeroinnin

Lisäpolymerointi, also known as addition polymerization, is a fundamental chemical process where monomers, small molecules containing double or triple bonds, link together to form a long chain polymer. Unlike condensation polymerization, no small molecules like water or methanol are eliminated during this reaction. The process typically involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps.

The initiation step begins with an initiator molecule, often a free radical or an ionic species, which reacts with a monomer to form an active center. This active center then attacks another monomer, adding it to the growing chain and regenerating the active center at the end of the new, longer molecule. This propagation step continues as more monomers are added sequentially.

The termination step occurs when the active center is deactivated, stopping the growth of the polymer chain. This can happen through various mechanisms, such as the combination of two growing chains or disproportionation. Common examples of polymers formed by addition polymerization include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene. These polymers find widespread use in manufacturing plastics, fibers, and numerous other materials due to their versatility and tunable properties.