Functionality

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004719",
  "term": "Functionality",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The number of reactive sites or groups present in a monomer molecule that are capable of forming covalent bonds during a polymerization reaction. For step-growth polymerization, a monomer must have a functionality of at least two to form a linear polymer. A functionality greater than two leads to branching or network formation.",
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "see_also": [
    "linear chain",
    "macrocycle",
    "monomer",
    "monomer molecule",
    "network",
    "oligomer molecule"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2007, 79, 1801. 'Definitions of terms relating to the structure and processing of sols, gels, networks, and inorganic-organic hybrid materials (IUPAC Recommendations 2007)' on page 1805 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779101801)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/functionality/"
}