Vol. 25 No. 2
March-April 2003

Nomenclature of Regular Single-Strand Organic Polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2002)

by J. Kahovec, R. B. Fox, and K. Hatada

Pure and Applied Chemistry,
Vol. 74, No. 10, pp. 1921-1956 (2002)

The rules described here of structure-based nomenclature for regular single-strand organic polymers are of fundamental importance. The names of other kinds of polymers such as double-strand and irregular polymers are based on the principles given in this document. In concept, a generic name for the polymer (ABC)n is poly(ABC), in which (ABC) is a constitutional repeating unit (CRU) representing the chemical structure of the polymer chain, and A, B, and C are the subunits (SUs) that comprise the CRU. To provide a unique and unambiguous name, rules are given to identify the preferred CRU and to name it using the names of A, B, and C based on current organic nomenclature. The CRU consists of one or more divalent or substituted SUs, from which the structurebased name poly(SU₁-SU₂-SU₃- . . .) is derived. Special rules of seniority for various types of subunits determine at which subunit to start and in which direction to continue citing subunits in the CRU of the polymer. Provisions are made for naming end groups of the polymers and the polymer substituents. In addition, the document contains a glossary of concepts and definitions, a list of common subunit names, and a variety of examples of structure-based polymer names. The document is a revision of the 1975 rules, but the new rules do not represent any change in principles. The new rules involve mainly rearrangement of the material, a generalization of basis rules, a clearer presentation, an avoidance of manifold repetition of the same principles at various places, and the use of graphical means for the visualization of the principles.

(Example names of some regular single-strand organic polymers)

www.iupac.org/publications/pac/
2002/7410/7410x1921.html