Atactic

Type of polymer configuration

Template:Infobox polymer Atactic polymers are a type of polymer configuration where the substituent groups are arranged in a random manner along the polymer chain. This lack of regularity in the arrangement of the side chains results in a polymer that is generally amorphous, meaning it does not have a crystalline structure.

Structure and Properties

In an atactic polymer, the substituent groups attached to the main chain of the polymer are placed randomly. This random placement prevents the polymer chains from packing closely together, which typically results in a material that is less dense and has a lower melting point compared to its isotactic and syndiotactic counterparts. The amorphous nature of atactic polymers often leads to unique properties such as increased flexibility, transparency, and tackiness. These properties make atactic polymers suitable for applications where these characteristics are desirable.

Synthesis

Atactic polymers are usually synthesized through free-radical polymerization or Ziegler-Natta polymerization. The type of polymerization method and the conditions under which the polymerization occurs can influence the tacticity of the resulting polymer.

Applications

Due to their amorphous nature, atactic polymers are used in a variety of applications. Some common uses include:

• Adhesives
• Sealants
• Coatings
• Packaging materials

Examples

One of the most well-known examples of an atactic polymer is atactic polypropylene. Unlike its isotactic counterpart, atactic polypropylene is sticky and lacks the crystalline structure that gives isotactic polypropylene its strength and rigidity.

Related Pages

• Polymer
• Isotactic
• Syndiotactic
• Polymerization
• Ziegler-Natta catalyst