Introduction A polymer is a large molecule composed of many smaller repeating units. First synthetic polymers: >Poly(vinyl chloride)in 1838 >Polystyrene in 1839 Now,250 billion pounds produced annually,worldwide. Chapter 26 Chapter 26 2 Introduction • A polymer is a large molecule composed of many smaller repeating units. • First synthetic polymers: ➢Poly(vinyl chloride) in 1838 ➢Polystyrene in 1839 • Now, 250 billion pounds produced annually, worldwide. =>