Monomer

molecule that, as a unit, binds chemically or supramolecularly to other molecules to form a supramolecular polymer

A monomer is a single atom or molecule which is able to join with other monomers to make new substances called polymers.[1] The words come from the Greek language where mono means "one", poly means "many", and meros means "a part". A feature of monomers is that they have two carbon atoms which are joined, called a carbon double bond.[1] The double bond allows the monomer to make the long chains of polymers.[1] There are thousands of different monomers. Examples of monomers include monosaccharide which is simple sugar, glycerol, amino acid and nucleotide.[2] The most made monomer is ethylene.

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Polymers and Monomers". materialsworldmodules.org. 2002. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  2. "Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry". faculty.clintoncc.suny.edu. 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.[permanent dead link]