Term: homopolymer
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02854

Definition:
A polymer derived from one species of (real, implicit or hypothetical) monomer.

Notes:
0) Many polymers are made by the mutual reaction of complementary monomers. These monomers can readily be visualized as reacting to give an 'implicit @M04017@', the @H02855@ of which would give the actual product, which can be regarded as a homopolymer. Common examples are poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(hexamethylene adipamide).
1) Some polymers are obtained by the @CT07135@ of other polymers such that the structure of the macromolecules that constitute the resulting polymer can be thought of as having been formed by the @H02855@ of a hypothetical @M04017@. These polymers can be regarded as homopolymers. Example: poly(vinyl alcohol).

Related Terms:
1) monomer (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04017).
2) homopolymerization (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02855).
3) chemical modification (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.CT07135).
4) polymer (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04735).

Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 2287. 'Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2300 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122287)

Citation: 'homopolymer' 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.H02854

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