AQA · A-Level · Chemistry

    Course version: 7405 · Version from Sept 2016

    Addition polymers: IUPAC rules for naming addition polymers.

    The IUPAC name of an addition polymer is poly followed by the monomer name in brackets: poly(ethene), poly(propene), poly(chloroethene), poly(phenylethene).

    Checked against the AQA 7405 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 3 of 6
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    The IUPAC name of an addition polymer is poly followed by the monomer name in brackets: poly(ethene), poly(propene), poly(chloroethene), poly(phenylethene). The brackets matter because they show where the monomer name begins and ends, and they are essential when the name contains more than one word or a locant, as in poly(methyl 2-methylpropenoate). Common trade names are not accepted in place of the IUPAC form, so polythene, PVC and polystyrene should be converted before you write them. To name a polymer from a drawn structure, work back to the monomer first, name that alkene correctly with the lowest locants, and only then wrap it in poly and brackets.

    What earns the marks

    • The form poly followed by brackets around the monomer name.
    • The correct IUPAC name of the monomer inside the brackets.
    • Deducing the monomer first when the polymer is given as a structure.
    • Correct locants in the monomer name where the substituent position matters.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Writing polyethylene, PVC or polystyrene when the IUPAC name is required.

    • Dropping the brackets, giving polychloroethene.

    • Naming the monomer as an alkane, for example chloroethane rather than chloroethene.

    • Keeping the double bond in mind but numbering the chain from the wrong end, giving the wrong locant.

    Exam tips

    • AQA credits phonetic spelling generally but not where correct IUPAC nomenclature is required, so spell polymer names carefully.
    • Name the monomer on paper first; most lost marks here are monomer naming errors, not polymer ones.
    • Keep the brackets even when the monomer name is a single word.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Addition polymers: IUPAC rules for naming addition polymers. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    What is the IUPAC name of the addition polymer formed from the monomer chloroethene?

    Listen

    The IUPAC name of an addition polymer is poly followed by the monomer name in brackets: poly(ethene), poly(propene), poly(chloroethene), poly(phenylethene). The brackets matter because they show where the monomer name begins and ends, and they are essential when the name contains more than one word or a locant, as in poly(methyl 2-methylpropenoate). Common trade names are not accepted in place of the IUPAC form, so polythene, PVC and polystyrene should be converted before you write them. To name a polymer from a drawn structure, work back to the monomer first, name that alkene correctly with the lowest locants, and only then wrap it in poly and brackets. A strong answer earns marks for these points. the form poly followed by brackets around the monomer name. the correct IUPAC name of the monomer inside the brackets. deducing the monomer first when the polymer is given as a structure. correct locants in the monomer name where the substituent position matters. Exam tip: AQA credits phonetic spelling generally but not where correct IUPAC nomenclature is required, so spell polymer names carefully.

    See it

    A flowchart showing two routes to an IUPAC polymer name. The first route starts at a drawn polymer structure, goes to working back to the monomer first, then to naming the alkene correctly with the lowest locants, then to wrapping the monomer name in poly and brackets, and ends at the IUPAC polymer name. The second route starts at a common trade name such as PVC, goes to converting it to the IUPAC form, and also ends at the IUPAC polymer name.
    The steps for naming an addition polymer from a drawn structure, and for converting a common trade name into the IUPAC form.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    poly(monomer) form

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    trade names rejected

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    naming from a structure

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    locants in monomer names

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    See every definition
    poly(monomer) form
    The IUPAC name of an addition polymer is poly followed by the monomer name in brackets, and the brackets are kept even when the monomer name is a single word.
    trade names rejected
    Common trade names are not accepted in place of the IUPAC form, so polythene, PVC and polystyrene should be converted before you write them.
    naming from a structure
    To name a polymer from a drawn structure, work back to the monomer first, name that alkene correctly, and only then wrap it in poly and brackets.
    locants in monomer names
    The monomer is named with the lowest locants, and correct locants are needed in the monomer name where the substituent position matters.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart showing two routes to an IUPAC polymer name. The first route starts at a drawn polymer structure, goes to working back to the monomer first, then to naming the alkene correctly with the lowest locants, then to wrapping the monomer name in poly and brackets, and ends at the IUPAC polymer name. The second route starts at a common trade name such as PVC, goes to converting it to the IUPAC form, and also ends at the IUPAC polymer name.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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