polümeerija

Polümeerija is a term used in chemistry to describe the process of polymerization. Polymerization is a chemical reaction on which a molecule is converted into a larger, a chain-like macromolecule. This process involves the joining of many smaller molecules, called monomers, to form a long chain of repeating units. These repeating units are known as polymers.

There are several types of polymerization. Addition polymerization involves monomers adding to one another in such a way that the polymer contains all the atoms of the monomer. Chain-growth polymerization, a type of addition polymerization, is characterized by an initial step that generates an active center, which then propagates by sequential addition of monomers. Step-growth polymerization, on the other hand, involves monomers reacting with each other to form dimers, trimers, and longer oligomers, which then react to form polymers. Condensation polymerization is a type of step-growth polymerization where monomers react to form a polymer with the simultaneous release of a small molecule, such as water or methanol.

Polymers are ubiquitous in nature and are also widely used in synthetic materials. Examples of natural polymers include DNA, proteins, and cellulose. Synthetic polymers are used in a vast array of products, such as plastics, rubbers, and synthetic fibers. The properties of a polymer are determined by the type of monomers used, the length of the polymer chain, and the way the chains are arranged. Understanding polymerization is crucial for the synthesis and application of these important materials.