Term: oligomer molecule
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04286

Definition:
A molecule of intermediate relative molecular mass, the structure of which essentially comprises a small plurality of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules of lower relative molecular mass.

Notes:
0) A molecule is regarded as having an intermediate @R05271@ if it has properties which do vary significantly with the removal of one or a few of the units.
1) If a part or the whole of the molecule has an intermediate @R05271@ and essentially comprises a small plurality of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules of lower @R05271@, it may be described as oligomeric, or by @O04283@ used adjectivally.

Related Terms:
1) relative molecular mass (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05271).
2) oligomer (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04283).

Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 2287. 'Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2289 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122287)

Citation: 'oligomer molecule' 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.O04286

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