There are two main types of Polymerisation:

1. Addition Polymerisation
2. Condensation Polymerisation

Definition of Addition Polymerisation:

"It is the linking together of unsaturated monomers to form to form a monomer. Each
monomer is made of only one kind of monomer molecules."

Addition Polymerisation:
i. Synthetic Polymers are made from Addition Polymerisation.
- Formed by Addition Reaction, so no other Substances are formed.
- Suitable molecules for this form of Polymerisation should be
unsaturated, so that is why we use Alkenes and Alkynes.
- All Polymers are long Chain molecules.
- Forms Homopolymers, meaning they are made from a single kind of
monomer.
- During Addition Reaction, double bond opens up and molecules join
themselves to make a molecule with very long chain.

ii. Conditions for Addition Polymerisation:

 Heat
 High Pressure
 Catalyst (Usually a mixture of titanium and aluminum compounds)

Examples For addition Polymerisation:

 More examples:

Naming Addition Polymers:

1) Put 'poly' in front of the name of the monomer.
... E.G. Poly(propene), Poly(chloroethene)
2) Some of these Polymers are often called by their common names. Like
Poly(tetrafluroethene) is called Teflon, which is used for making nonstick pans.

From Monomer --> Polymer

(Example: Propene)

Steps:
1) Write down the formula of propene
2) Change double bonds of all units written to single bonds.

3) Put 'continuation bonds' at either end of the chain to show that

the chain carries on in the same way
NOTE: (This point carries 1 mark.)

4) Put square bracket through the continuation bond and put 'n' at the
bottom right corner.

E.g.

From Polymer ---> Monomer

Steps:
1) We can find the structure of the monomers from diagram of the
Polymer.

2) Identity the repeating unit in the Polymer, ignoring the brackets, 'n'
and continuation bond.

3) Deduce the monomer by replacing the single bond by a double

bond.
E.g.