Can chains of carbon atoms be thousands of atoms long?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 27, 2017

Why not.......?

Explanation:

Typical straight chains polyethylenes have molecular weights of #200-300xx10^3# #"amu".# We divide thru by #14*"amu"# and we get a chain length of approx. #20000# methylene units. Why did I divide thru by #14*"amu"#?

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylenes can approach #3xx10^6# #"amu"#, What is a typical chain length in these polymers?

Related questions
See all questions in Brief History of Organic Chemistry
Impact of this question
2439 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License