Repeating_unit

In polymer chemistry, a structural unit is a building block of a polymer chain, and related to the repeat unit. It is the result of a monomer which has been polymerized into a long chain. When different monomer are polymerized, a copolymer is formed. It is a routine way of developing new properties for new materials.

Examples

Consider this example: Take polyethylene terephthalate. The monomers which could be used to create this polymer are ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid:

HO-CH₂-CH₂-OH and HOOC-Ph-COOH

In the polymer, there are two structural units, which are -O-CH₂-CH₂-O- and -CO-Ph-CO-

The repeat unit is

-CH₂-CH₂-O-CO-Ph-CO-O-

External Links

• Polymer structure

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