Unit 2 mod 1 polymers

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POLYMERS

A polymer is a large molecule made from the combination of small molecules called monomers. Types of polymerisation 1. Addition This is the straightforward addition of small molecules to form a large molecule. The monomers used in addition polymerisation are alkenes or derivatives of alkenes. Condensation In this process, with the addition of 2 or more monomers, there is always the evolution of a small molecule usually water or ammonia. Each monomer has AT LEAST two functional groups.

2.

Types and uses of polymers Addition polymers (alkenes and other unsaturated compounds undergo addition polymerisation) Name Monomer Polymer (repeating Uses unit) Poly(ethene) or Ethene Polythene has 40% of polythene CH2=CH2 polyalkane market. Low density polythene has a low m.p. and it is used for making plastic bags and toys. High density polythene is used for kitchenware, food boxes, bowls etc Poly(chloroeth Chloroethene PVC is more rigid -ene) PVC or vinyl than polythene. Used chloride as a building material CH2=CHCl e.g. guttering, electrical insulation and pipes Poly(tetrafluor Tetrafluoroet Used for coating oethene) hene surfaces to reduce Teflon CF2=CF2 friction e.g. non-stick frying pans

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Condensation polymers (compounds with two functional groups undergo condensation polymerisation) Name Monomers Polymer Uses Polyester Ethane-1,2-diol Terylene HOCH2CH2OH and Dacron and 1,4are the benzenedicarboxyli trade c acid names of HO2CC6H4 the CO2H polyester formed. It is used for making fabrics. Polyamides hexane-1,6This diamine (in water) polyamide H2N(CH2)6NH2 is called and Nylon 66 hexane-1,6-dioic acid HO2C(CH2)4CO2H The difficulty of disposing polyalkanes 1. Plastics are man-made, therefore no natural organism can degrade them, i.e. non-biodegradable, thus dumping does not solve the problem. 2. Plastics are also chemically inert, very unreactive, therefore no reaction can be easily used to dispose of them, however due to new technologies, there are biodegradable plastics. 3. Very difficult to not use plastics as they have many uses where glass would be either uneconomical or unsafe. This establishes our great need for polyalkanes. 4. Incineration is not the answer either, as this introduces toxic fumes into the atmosphere which may do more harm than good to the environment. Naturally occurring macromolecules:- proteins are natural polyamides and carbohydrates are natural polysaccharides.

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Comparison of properties of a monomer and its polymer (using glucose and starch) Property Solubility Glucose Soluble in water Starch Insoluble in water (forms a colloid) Explanation Low molecular mass of glucose coupled with OH groups present makes it soluble. However the high molar mass of starch prevents the formation of enough hydrogen bonds for it to dissolve in water Monomeric glucose possesses free OH groups which can reduce the Cu2+ ion, while starch does not possess these OH groups. Iodine is integrated within the structure of starch which is absent in glucose.

Reducing sugar

Forms a complex with iodine

Forms a brick-red ppt with either Benedicts or Fehlings solution No ppt is formed.

No ppt is formed

A blue-black colour is formed because of the starch-iodine complex

Practice Questions

Unit 2 mod 1 polymers

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