4 General Types of Polymers Molecular Structure Linear Polymers- Linear polymers are those in which the mer (the

group of atoms that constitutes a polymer chain repeat unit) units are joined together end to end in single chain. Branched Polymers- Polymers may be synthesized in which side-branch chains are connected to the main ones. These are called branched polymers. The branches, considered to be the part of the main-chain molecules result from side reactions that occur during the synthesis of the polymer.

Cross-linked Polymers- In cross linked polymers, adjacent linear chains are joined one to another at various positions by covalent bonds. The process of cross linking is achieved either during synthesis or by a nonreversible chemical reaction that is usually carried out at an elevated temperature. Network Polymers- Trifunctional mer units, having three active covalent bonds, form three-dimensional networks instead of the linear chain framework assumed by bifunctional mers. Polymers composed of a trifunctional units are termed network polymers.

3 Types of Stereoisomers

Isotactic- Isotactic polymers are composed of isotactic macromolecules (IUPAC definition). In isotactic macromolecules all the substituents are located on the same side of the macromolecular backbone. An isotactic macromolecule consists of 100% meso diads. Polypropylene formed by Ziegler-Natta catalysis is an isotactic polymer. Isotactic polymers are usually semicrystallineand often form a helix configuration. Syndiotactic - In syndiotactic or syntactic macromolecules the substituents have alternate positions along the chain. The macromolecule consists 100% of racemo diads. Syndiotactic polystyrene, made bymetallocene catalysis polymerization, is crystalline with a melting point of 161 C. gutta percha is also an example for Syndiotactic polymer. Actatic- In atactic macromolecules the substituent are placed randomly along the chain. The percentage of meso diads is between 1 and 99%. With the aid of spectroscopic techniques such as NMR it is possible to pinpoint the composition of a polymer in terms of the percentages for each triad.

4 Types of Copolymers Random copolymer- A polymer in which two different repeat units are randomly distributed along the molecular chain. Alternating copolymer - A copolymer in which two different repeat units alternate positions along the molecular chain. Block copolymer- A linear copolymer in which identical repeat units are clustered in blocks along the molecular chain. Graft copolymer- A copolymer wherein homopolymer side branches of one monomer type are grafted to homopolymer main chains of a different monomer type.

% Degree Crystallinity

Average Weight Degree of Polymerization Number-average molecular weight Weight-average molecular weight