Term: ring-opening polymerization
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05396

Definition:
A polymerization in which a cyclic monomer yields a monomeric unit which is acyclic or contains fewer cycles than the monomer.

Note: If the @M04017@ is polycyclic, the opening of a single ring is sufficient to classify the reaction as ring-opening @P04740@.

Related Terms:
1) monomer (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04017).
2) polymerization (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04740).
3) monomeric unit (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04018).

Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 2287. 'Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2308 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122287)

Citation: 'ring-opening polymerization' 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.R05396

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