main chain (backbone)

of a polymer
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03694
That linear chain to which all other chains, long or short or both, may be regarded as being pendant.
Note: Where two or more chains could equally be considered to be the main chain, that one is selected which leads to the simplest representation of the molecule.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2287. (Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 2294 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'main chain (backbone)' 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.M03694 RIS BibTex EndNote
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