Chemistry International
Vol. 22, No. 5
September 2000
New
Project
Terminology of Polymers with Ionizable Groups
and Polymers Containing Ions
Properties of several polymeric materials are related to the presence
of ionic groups being either inherent fragments of polymer molecules
or present in low-molecular-weight components of composite polymeric
materials. The presence of both ionic and covalent bonds makes ionic
polymers a very diverse group of materials, and their physical properties
can vary from soft, pliable thermoplastics (e.g., ionomers) via rubbery
elastomers to rigid, cross-linked materials (e.g., ion-exchange resins).
The importance of this group of polymers stems from their widespread
application in many areas of everyday life and industrial production.
IUPAC has approved a project to formulate clear concepts and definitions
of terms related to the structure and properties of polymeric materials
containing ionic or ionizable groups. The aim of this project is to
eliminate the ambiguity and lack of precision often found in scientific
and technical literature discussing chemistry and properties of ionic
polymers.
This project is being coordinated by Prof. Przemyslaw Kubisa, a Titular
Member of IUPACs Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature (IV.I),
with participation of other members of the Commission. Comments from
the chemistry and polymer community are welcome and should be addressed
to the project coordinator, Prof. Przemyslaw Kubisa, Center of Molecular
and Macromolecular Studies, 112 Sienkiewicza St., 90363 Lódz,
Poland; Tel.: +48 42 681 96 08; Fax: +48 42 68471 26; E-mail: [email protected].
See http://www.iupac.org/divisions/current_
projects/2000/000061_400_00.html for project description and update.