Polyolefin

Article summary

A polyolefin is a type of polymer with the general formula (CH 2 CHR) n where R is H or an alkyl group. The name of each polyolefin indicates the olefin from which it is prepared; for example, polyethylene is derived from ethylene, and polymethylpentene is derived from 4-methyl-1-pentene. Polyolefins are not olefins themselves because the double bond of each olefin monomer is opened in order to form the polymer. Monomers having more than one double bond such as butadiene and isoprene yield polymers that contain double bonds (polybutadiene and polyisoprene) and are usually not considered polyolefins. Polymers derived from polar monomers are also usually excluded from this classification. Polyolefins are the foundations of many chemical industries.

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