Editing Monomer (section)

==Classification==
[[Chemistry]] classifies monomers by type, and two broad classes based on the type of [[polymer]] they form.

By type:
* natural vs synthetic, e.g. [[glycine]] vs [[caprolactam]], respectively
* polar vs nonpolar, e.g. [[vinyl acetate]] vs [[ethylene]], respectively
* cyclic vs linear, e.g. [[ethylene oxide]] vs [[ethylene glycol]], respectively

By type of polymer they form:
* those that participate in [[condensation polymerization]]
* those that participate in [[addition polymerization]]

Differing [[stoichiometry]]<ref>{{cite book|title=An Introduction to Polymer Chemistry|publisher=Pergamon Press|year= 1967|author=D. Margerison |author2=G. C. East |author3=J. E. Spice |isbn=978-0-08-011891-8}}</ref>  causes each class to create its respective form of polymer.

:[[Image:Condensation polymerization diacid diamine.svg|thumb|centre|600px|This nylon is formed by [[condensation polymerization]] of two monomers, yielding water]]

The [[polymerization]] of one kind of monomer gives a [[polymer#Monomers and repeat units|homopolymer]].  Many polymers are [[copolymers]], meaning that they are derived from two different monomers.  In the case of condensation polymerizations, the ratio of [[comonomer]]s is usually 1:1.  For example, the formation of many nylons requires equal amounts of a [[dicarboxylic acid]] and [[diamine]].  In the case of addition polymerizations, the comonomer content is often only a few percent.  For example, small amounts of 1-octene monomer are copolymerized with ethylene to give specialized polyethylene.