End-group

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Example of a chemical formula of a polymer (polyprenol); in this case the end-groups are -H and -OH.

An end-group in polymer chemistry is a constitutional unit that is an extremity of a macromolecule or oligomer molecule.[1] For example the end-group of a PET polyester may be an alcohol group or a carboxylic acid group.

Each end-group is bonded to just one repetitive unit.[1] A linear polymer contains two end-groups.

End groups in macromolecules may have special reactivity in follow-up reactions, see graft copolymers, or end groups can be used to determine molar mass.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 (English) IUPAC Gold Book, "end-group"
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