Preferred Label : macromolecule;
Detailed label : macromolecule (polymer molecule);
IUPAC definition : A molecule of high relative molecular mass, the structure of which essentially comprises
the multiple repetition of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules
of low relative molecular mass.;
Scope note : if a part or the whole of the molecule has a high relative molecular mass and essentially
comprises the multiple repetition of units derived, actually or conceptually, from
molecules of low relative molecular mass, it may be described as either macromolecular
or polymeric, or by polymer used adjectivally.; in many cases, especially for synthetic polymers, a molecule can be regarded as having
a high relative molecular mass if the addition or removal of one or a few of the units
has a negligible effect on the molecular properties. this statement fails in the case
of certain macromolecules for which the properties may be critically dependent on
fine details of the molecular structure.;
Origin ID : M03667;
See also
A molecule of high relative molecular mass, the structure of which essentially comprises
the multiple repetition of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules
of low relative molecular mass.
