Oligomer

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Oligomer

An oligomer is a molecular complex that consists of a few monomer units, in contrast to a polymer which consists of many monomers. The term oligomer is derived from the Greek words "oligos," meaning "a few," and "meros," meaning "part." Oligomers can be classified based on the number of monomer units they contain, such as dimers (two monomers), trimers (three monomers), tetramers (four monomers), and so on.

Types of Oligomers[edit | edit source]

Oligomers can be categorized into several types based on their chemical structure and the nature of the monomers involved:

Properties[edit | edit source]

Oligomers exhibit properties that are intermediate between those of monomers and polymers. They often have lower molecular weights and may display unique physical and chemical properties that are not observed in their monomeric or polymeric forms. For example, oligomers can have distinct solubility, viscosity, and melting point characteristics.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Oligomers have a wide range of applications in various fields:

Synthesis[edit | edit source]

The synthesis of oligomers can be achieved through various chemical processes, including:

  • Step-growth polymerization: This method involves the reaction of bifunctional or multifunctional monomers to form oligomers.
  • Chain-growth polymerization: In this process, monomers add to a growing chain one at a time, forming oligomers before reaching high molecular weights.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD