Introduction to Polymer Chemistry: A Biobased Approach

This book connects modern synthetic polymer chemistry to its roots by exploring the chemistry of natural polymers and self-assembled macromolecular structures. Designed to introduce students to the basics of polymer science, the text investigates intermolecular forces, functional groups and key reactions by means of polymers found in, and produced by, living plants and animals, including proteins, rubber, DNA, fibers, lignin, carbohydrates and many others. The author explains how varied natural polymeric systems illustrate a wide array of fundamental polymer concepts. Key analogies are demonstrated between mechanisms in biological and synthetic polymerization, and the text uses growth, DNA replication, self-assembly and other biological processes to assist the student in mastering the terminology and molecular-level mechanisms of polymer chemistry. To guide both instructors and students the book includes the outline of a one-semester course syllabus, end-of-chapter questions, as well as detailed instructions for setting up multiple labs dealing with gene isolation and amplification using polymerase chain reaction techniques (PCR). Each chapter also offers exercises based on real-world examples.