Carbon chains can extend {polymerization}| by attaching a subunit to chain end and then repeating. Organisms use energy, inorganic nutrients, and organic nutrients to make molecules {precursor, biology} that polymerize to make biological polymers.
reactions
Polymers can form using addition reactions with acids, bases, radicals, or ions. Polymers can form using condensation reactions, in which water molecule leaves as bond forms between carbon atom and carbon or oxygen atom.
process
Polymerization has three steps.
Sulfuric acid, strong inorganic or organic base, or organic-peroxide radical makes carbocation, carbanion, or free radical, respectively, in subunit and then double bond breaks {initiation, polymerization}.
Carbocation, carbanion, or free radical, respectively, attacks other-subunit double bond, in addition reactions, to make one bond from first carbon to first subunit carbon. Plasticizer molecule helps covalently bond subunits.
Added base terminates acid reaction, added acid terminates base reaction, or two free radicals react to make terminal bond {termination}.
Physical Sciences>Chemistry>Organic>Chemical Reaction
5-Chemistry-Organic-Chemical Reaction
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Date Modified: 2022.0224