Final answer:
The statement that chain structures of interlocking ring polymers are possible is true. Advanced polymerization techniques and controlled conditions make it feasible to create complex polymer structures like molecular chainmail, as demonstrated by the strength of interlinked polymers such as Kevlar.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that chain structures of interlocking ring polymers, similar to molecular chainmail, are possible, is true. Polymers are indeed long molecules composed of chains of monomer units that can exhibit various forms of arrangements and structures.
When discussing the flexibility of polymers, we refer to semi-flexible polymers which can be likened to worm-like chains. These chains are characterized by their resistance to bending due to the energetic cost associated with it, in contrast to flexible polymers that have no such penalty. Despite the intrinsic resistance to bending, polymers are able to form complex structures, including interlocking rings.
During addition or chain-growth polymerization, monomers can rearrange in ways that the monomers directly link up with each other, thereby enabling the formation of advanced structures, such as molecular chainmail. An example of synthetic polymers that exhibit remarkable strength due to their structural arrangements is Kevlar, a polymer with interlinked aromatic rings, providing it with exceptional rigidity and strength.
It is important to understand that polymerization processes are dependent on controlled conditions, such as temperature and pressure, which can affect the molecular weight and structural characteristics of the resulting polymer. This also implies that with careful control, the production of intricate structures such as interlocking ring polymers is indeed achievable.