What type of bond is primarily involved in the formation of polymers from monomers?

Covalent bonds are primarily involved in the formation of polymers from monomers. In the process of polymerization, small units called monomers chemically bond together to form long chains, known as polymers. This bonding occurs through the sharing of electrons, which is the defining characteristic of covalent bonding.

For instance, in the synthesis of polyethylene, ethylene monomers (C2H4) undergo a reaction where double bonds are broken, allowing them to form single covalent bonds with adjacent ethylene molecules, leading to an extensive polymer chain. The strong covalent bonds that hold the polymer together contribute to its stability and physical properties.

In contrast, while hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and metallic bonds can have important roles in various chemical interactions and contribute to the properties of materials, they are not the primary types of bonds involved in the actual formation of polymers from monomers through the polymerization process.