Irregular polymer nomenclature

The rules of structure-based nomenclature of regular single-strand organic polymers are of fundamental importance in polymer nomenclature. The names of other kinds of polymers such as double-strand [7] and irregular polymers [8] are based on the principles given in this Report. 

Specific rules also are applied for polymers with other regular structures such as ladder type polymers or spiro polymers [3]. For single-strand linear copolymers with irregular structures, the name is given as poly(first constitutional repeating unit/second constitutional repeating unit) , etc. Detailed explanations for polymer nomenclature can be found in various reference materials (see e.g. [4]). 

The new system also provides a structure-based alternative to source-based nomenclature for copolymers. Irregular polymers, oligomers, or blocks are named by placing the prefix poly before the structure-based names of the constitutional units the latter are collectively enclosed in parentheses, with the names of the component constitutional units separated by solidi (oblique strokes). 

Evidently, the mles of stmcture-based nomendature for regular single-strand polymers are of fundamental importance in polymer nomenclature. They are the basis of the names of other types of polymers such as double-strand" and irregular polymers. Each macromolecule in a polymer may have a different stmctural arrangement and length from the others in... 

Recommendations on additional aspects of macromolecular nomenclature such as that of regular double-strand (ladder and spiro) and irregular single-strand organic polymers continue to be pubHshed in I ure and Applied Chemistty (100,101). Recommendations on naming nonlinear polymers and polymer assembHes (networks, blends, complexes, etc) are expected to be issued in the near future. 

Table 8. lUPAC Nomenclature for Irregular Single-Strand Organic Polymers [8]... 

Graphic representations (chemical formulae) of macromolecules are used extensively in the scientific literature on polymers including lUPAC documents on macromolecular nomenclature. This document establishes rules for the unambiguous representation of macromolecules by chemical formulae. The rules apply principally to synthetic macromolecules. Insofar as is possible, these rules are consistent with the formulae given in lUPAC documents [2-4] and they also cover the presentation of formulae for irregular macromolecules [5], copolymer molecules [1, 6] and star macromolecules. 

Structure-based nomenclature for irregular single-strand organic polymers (lUPAC Recommendations 1994), Pure Appl. Chem. 66, 873-889 (1994). Reprinted as Chapter 17, this edition. 

The names of inorganic and coordination polymers are based on the same fundamental principles that were developed for organic polymers. As in the nomenclature of organic polymers, these rules apply to structural representations that may at times be idealised and do not take into account irregularities, chain imperfections or random branching. 

Polymers that cannot be described by the repetition of a single CRU or comprise units not all connected identically in a directional sense can also be named on a structure basis. These include copolymers, block and graft polymers, and star polymers. They are given names of the type poly(A/B/C...) , where A, B, C, etc. are the names of the component constitutional units, the number of which are minimized. The constitutional units may include regular or irregular blocks as well as atoms or atomic groupings, and each is named by the method described above or by the rules of organic nomenclature. 

Structure-based nomenclature for irregular single-strand organic polymers... 

Polymer molecules which differ only in length, end-groups, or in the frequency of sone occasional structural irregularity such as branching, but which are composed predominantly of identical repeating units, are ordinarily considered to be the same compound. Hence it is only necessary to name the repeating unit. Systematic names for the diradicals which comprise the repeating units in polymers are awkward and unfamiliar to most chemists. This type of nomenclature was proposed by the... 

Depending on the fraction of anomalous units, metal-containing polymers can be divided into several types. According to the lUPAC nomenclature, when the content of these emits is low, the polymers can be classified as regular macromolecules, which consist mostly of identical repeating units linked to one another in the same way. When the content of rmit variability is relatively large, they are called irregular macromolecules. 

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Structure-Based Nomenclature for Irregular Single-Strand Organic Polymers (Recommendations 1994), PureAppl. Chem., 66,873-889 (1994). 

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Nomenclature of Regular Double-Strand (Ladder and Spiro) Organic Polymers (Recommendations 1993), PureAppL Chem., 65,1561-1580 (1993). International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Structure-Based Nomenclature for Irregular Single-Strand Organic Polymers (Recommendations 1994), PureAppL Chem., 66,873-889 (1994). International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Source-Based Nomenclature for Non-Linear Macromolecules and Macromolecular Assemblies (Recommendations 1997). PureAppL Chem., 69, 2511— 2521 (1997). 

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