Term: contour length [obsolete]
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01308

Definition:
The maximum end-to-end distance of a linear polymer chain. For a single-strand polymer molecule, this usually means the end-to-end distance of the chain extended to the all-transconformation. For chains with complex structure, only an approximate value of the contour length may be accessible. The sum of the lengths of all skeletal bonds of a single-strand polymer molecule is occasionally termed 'contour length'. This use of this term is discouraged.

Related Terms:
1) linear polymer (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.L03556).
2) single-strand polymer (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05694).
3) trans (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01092).
4) conformation (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01258).

Source: Purple Book, 1st ed., p. 50 (http://old.iupac.org/publications/books/author/metanomski.html)

Citation: 'contour length <span class='text-danger'>[obsolete]</span>' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01308

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