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Basic Classification and Definitions of Polymerization Reactions

Corresponding Author: John B. Matson

jbmatson@vt.edu

Provisional Recommendations Abstract:

This document provides recommendations addressing the long-standing dilemma of the wide variety of terms that are used to describe the two common classes of polymerization mechanisms in the scientific literature, which includes chemistry and polymer-science textbooks. It is an update of a 1994 IUPAC document on this topic and provides clarification and hierarchical structure regarding the basic classification and terminology describing polymerization reactions. The term step polymerization describes polymerizations in which growth occurs by reactions between monomer, oligomer, or polymer molecules of any length. We clearly denote here the two subclasses of step polymerization: additive step polymerization (synonym: polyaddition) and condensative step polymerization (synonym: polycondensation). The term chain polymerization describes polymerizations that proceed via a chain reaction with monomer molecules adding to active sites on polymer chains. Subclasses of chain polymerization include additive chain polymerization and condensative chain polymerization. The terms provide a logical and straightforward structure for describing the two common classes of polymerization mechanisms. Previously defined terms relevant to these two classes of polymerization reactions are also replicated in this Recommendation document.

Keywords: chain polymerization, growth step, polymer chemistry, polymer synthesis, step polymerization

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Comments by 30 November 2025

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