Term: uniform polymer
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.U06558

Definition:
A polymer composed of molecules uniform with respect to relative molecular mass and constitution.

Notes:
0) A polymer comprising a mixture of @L03546@ and @B00721@, all of uniform @R05271@, is not uniform.
1) A @C01335@ comprising linear molecules of uniform @R05271@ and uniform elemental composition but different sequential arrangements of the various types of @M04018@, is not uniform (e.g. a @C01335@ comprising molecules with a random arrangement as well as a @B00682@ arrangement of monomeric units).
2) A polymer uniform with respect only to either @R05271@ or @C01282@ may be termed 'uniform', provided a suitable qualifier is used (e.g. 'a polymer uniform with respect to @R05271@').
3) The adjectives 'monodisperse' and 'polydisperse' are deeply rooted in the literature, despite the former being non-descriptive and self-contradictory. They are in common usage and it is recognized that they will continue to be used for some time; nevertheless, more satisfactory terms are clearly desirable. After an extensive search for possible replacements, the terms 'uniform' and 'non-uniform' have been selected and they are now the preferred adjectives.

Related Terms:
1) linear (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.L03546).
2) branched chains (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00721).
3) copolymer (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01335).
4) monomeric units (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04018).
5) polymer (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04735).
6) relative molecular mass (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05271).
7) block (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00682).
8) constitution (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01282).

Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 2287. 'Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2301 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122287)

Citation: 'uniform polymer' 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.U06558

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