Module 2: Polymer Chemistry

Functionality
Functionality
• Functionality of a monomer is the number of bonding/reactive
sites present in the monomer or,

• The functionality of a monomer is the number of sites it has for

bonding to other monomers under the given conditions of the
polymerization reaction. Thus, a bifunctional monomer, i.e.,
monomer with functionality two, can link to two other molecules
under suitable conditions. A polyfunctional monomer is one that can
react with more than two molecules under the conditions of the
polymerization reactions.

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 • The double bond in vinyl monomers (CH2 = CHX) can be considered as
a site for two free valences. When the double bond is broken, two
single bonds become available for combination.
H2C=CHX → --- CH2 – CHX ------

When the functionality of monomer is two (bifunctional), linear (or)

straight chain polymer is formed.
Example for polymer: HDPE (high density polythene) -M-M-M-M-M-
M-M

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• When the functionality of monomer is three (tri-functional), three-
dimensional network polymer is formed.
• Ex: phenol, glycerol
Examples for polymers : Urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde.

Ethylene-F-2
Phenol-F3/4 Glycerol-F-3

Propylene-F-2
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 Butadiene-F4 Polybutadiene

Acetylene-F4
Polyacetylene

Ethylene glycol-F2 Polyethylene glycol

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