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Polymerization
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Definition: A chemical reaction in linking the molecules of a simple substance (monomer) together to form large molecules whose molecular weight is a multiple of that of the monomer. There are two general types of polymerization reactions, both with many variations: addition polymerization which occurs when reactive monomers unite without forming any other products, and condensation polymerization which occurs by condensation of reactive monomers with the elimination of a simple molecule such as water. When two or more monomers are involved, the process is called copolymerization or heteropolymerization.
Definition Copyright ©1989 CRC Press LLC. All rights reserved.

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