Polyaddition
A polymerization reaction that forms polymers via individual independent addition reaction. Polyaddition occurs as a reaction between functional groups on molecules with low degrees of polymerization, such as dimers, trimers and oligomers, to form species of higher molar mass. Only at nearly complete conversions does the polymer form, as in polycondensation and in contrast to chain-growth polymerisation.
A typical polyaddition is the formation of a polyurethane.
IUPAC definition
Polyaddition: A polymerization in which the growth of polymer chains proceeds by addition reactions between molecules of all degrees of polymerization. [1]
- ^ Jenkins, A. D.; Kratochvíl, P.; Stepto, R. F. T.; Suter, U. W. (1996). "Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996. See definition 3.6)" (PDF). Pure and Applied Chemistry. 68 (12): 2287–2311. doi:10.1351/pac199668122287.