What defines polymerization in organic chemistry?

Polymerization in organic chemistry refers specifically to the process where smaller molecules, known as monomers, chemically bond together to form larger, more complex structures called polymers. This is a crucial concept because polymers make up a significant part of many materials we encounter in daily life, such as plastics, rubber, and fibers.

The process entails different mechanisms, such as addition polymerization, where monomers join without the loss of any small molecules, or condensation polymerization, where the formation of bonds leads to the release of small molecules like water. Understanding polymerization is essential for appreciating how different materials are synthesized and how their properties can be manipulated based on the structure of the resulting polymer.

The other options offer definitions that do not align with the concept of polymerization. For instance, creating new elements pertains to nuclear chemistry rather than organic chemistry. Altering the pH of a solution does not directly relate to the formation of polymers, as it primarily involves the concentration of hydrogen ions rather than molecular bonding. Lastly, the process of splitting polymers back into monomers is called depolymerization, which is the opposite of polymerization.