Structural unit
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In polymer chemistry, a structural unit is a building block of a polymer chain, and related to the repeat unit. It is the result of a monomer which has been polymerized into a long chain. When different monomer are polymerized, a copolymer is formed. It is a routine way of developing new properties for new materials.
[edit] Examples
Consider this example: Take polyethylene terephthalate. The monomers which could be used to create this polymer are ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid:
HO-CH2-CH2-OH and HOOC-Ph-COOH
In the polymer, there are two structural units, which are -O-CH2-CH2-O- and -CO-Ph-CO-
The repeat unit is
-CH2-CH2-O-CO-Ph-CO-O-
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