Polymers with Unsaturated Carbon Chain Backbone

Polymers with unsaturated carbon chain backbone form another important class of macromolecules, many of the compounds from this class having properties of elastomers. The most common polymers from this class are obtained from 1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene) and their derivatives. Natural rubber, which is poly(c/s-isoprene), as well as the natural polymers gutta-percha and balata also have an unsaturated carbon chain backbone. For many practical applications, the polymers from this class are subject to a process known as vulcanization, which consists of a reaction with sulfur or S2CI2, and leads to the formation of bridges between the molecular chains of the polymer. This process significantly improves certain physical properties of practical interest. A separate subclass of polymers with unsaturated carbon chain backbone is formed by polyacetylene. 

If the sulfur atoms are not part of the polymeric backbone, the polymers are not included in this class. For example, in the vulcanization process of the polymers with unsaturated carbon chain backbone, -S-S- bonds are introduced in the polymer, but the resulting product is not classified as polymer with C-S bonds in the backbone, although in hard rubber (ebonite), for example, the content of sulfur can be as high as 32%. 

Polymers with Unsaturated Carbon Chain Backbone... 

Polymers with unsaturated carbon chain backbone... 

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