Polymers (1 Viewer)

[Amaze]

Hey guys!

So I was wondering why the systematic name of a polymer, for example polyethylene, ended in -ene. I always understood the -ene suffix as the ending of alkenes because of the double bond. This works with the monomers too since there is still the double bond, but why does it remain as -ene in the polymer once the double bond has been broken for an addition polymerisation to occur?

Thanks!

 

[asianinvasion]

The systematic name for polymers is based on the monomer it is made from i.e. poly(monomer) - I'm pretty sure

 

[Amaze]

The systematic name for polymers is based on the monomer it is made from i.e. poly(monomer) - I'm pretty sure

Ahh that makes sense. Appreciate it!

 

[asianinvasion]

No worries!

 

[someth1ng]

The systematic name for polymers is based on the monomer it is made from i.e. poly(monomer) - I'm pretty sure

A lot of the time, it is such as polyethylene, polystyrene and so on. In some cases, it is not such as cellulose and starch - you call it cellulose and starch, not polyglucose or something like that.