What is produced in addition polymerization?

In addition polymerization, the primary product is a polymer, which is formed through the process of linking monomer units together. During this type of reaction, unsaturated monomers, which typically contain double bonds, undergo a chemical reaction that opens up these double bonds. As the reaction progresses, the monomers join together in a chain-like structure, creating a larger molecule known as a polymer.

This process typically does not involve the production of by-products or other molecules, which distinguishes it from other types of polymerization, like condensation polymerization, where small molecules such as water or methanol can be released. Instead, addition polymerization efficiently converts monomers directly into a continuous polymer chain, resulting solely in the polymer as the end product. This is why identifying the outcome of addition polymerization as a polymer is the accurate choice in this context.