FJ/Chemistry Unit, KMPk/Mac 2006 1

CHAPTER 21
POLYMERS

2
21.1 : Introduction
Polymer
- is a macro molecule that is made up of many small repeating units
called monomers linked together by covalent bond.
- polymer can be represented by their repeating unit in the long
chain.

Monomer
- is a basic molecular units that can joined to many others to form a
polymer.
n --
n
polymer monomer
polymer
!repeating unit"
n
n ---------

3
#omopolymer
- a polymer formed from only one types monomer units.
- $%ample :
n --
n
ethene
!ethylene"
polyethene
!polyethylene"
n&#
2
&#
2
-&#
2
&#
2
-
n

4
&opolymer
- a polymer formed from t'o or more different monomers.
- $%ample :
1(1-dichloroethene 1-chloroethene )aran*
n
n + n, --,-
n&#
2
&&l
2
+ n&#
2
&#&l -&#
2
-&&l
2
-&#
2
-&#&l-
n

5
21.2 : )tructures of Polymers
21.2.1 : -inear Polymers
-inear polymer is a polymer consist of monomers that are
linked in straight and long continuous chain.
-inear or straight-chain polymer can be folded back upon
themselves in a random fashion.
-inear polymer is recycleable because it is soft and can be
reformed 'hen heated.
n
---------
monomers link together
in a straight chain
folded linear polymer
in a random fashion

6
21.2.2 : &ross-linked Polymers
&ross-linked polymer contains branches that connect linear polymer chain( as sho'n
in the figures belo'.
&ross-linked polymer is harder !rigid" and more elastic polymer compared to linear
polymer.
It also cannot be remelted or remolded again.
.he e/uation belo' sho's the chemical reaction for the rubber vulcani0ation
process.
-ong polymer chain cross-linked by branched
-------------
-------------
1 1

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In a vulcani0ation process( long chain of polyisoprene are cross-linked by sulphur
atoms.
fter vulcani0ation rubber becomes more stable over 'ide ranges of temperature
and far more durable than natural rubber.
-&#
2
& &#-&#
2
- +
&#
2
&#
2
-&#
2
& &#-&#
2
-
sulphur
&#
2
-&#& &#-&#
2
-&#& &#-&#
2
-
)
-&#& &#-&#
2
-&#& &#-&#
2
-
&#
2
&#
2
&#
2
)

8
21.2 : .ypes of Polymers
21.2.1 : 3atural Polymers
3atural polymers are polymers that synthesi0ed in nature
or naturally occurring polymers.
i. Proteins
Protein are the most abundant organic molecules in animals
such as en0ymes( hormones( hemoglobin and many other
things.
It is a natural polymer built from amino acids linked by
amide bonds.
#3-&-&
4
#
5 n

ii. &arbohydrates
&arbohydrates such as starch is also a polymer.
i. )tarch !amylose"
ii. )tarch !amylopectin"
- contains 6-!1(7"-glycosidic and 6-!1(8"-glycosidic linkages.
4
4
4
# #
4
4
4#
# #
#
#
#
&#
2
4#
&#
2
4#
4#
4#
4#
#
#
#
n
-!1(7"-glycosidic linkages

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iii. 3atural 5ubber
3atural rubber is a polymer of 2-methyl-1(2-butadiena( also kno'n as
isoprene.
nother name for natural rubber is cis-1(7-polyisoprene.
ll the double bond in natural rubber are cis- configuration.
3atural rubber is soft( not strong or elastic and sticky( that makes it less
useful.
In order to make it more useful rubber has to undergo a vulcani0ation process.

n &#
2
9&-&#9&#
2
-&#
2
-&9&#&#
2
-
&#
2
&#
2
n
isoprene cis-polyisoprene

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21.2.2 : )ynthetic Polymers
)ynthetic polymers are polymers that are prepared in industries from
monomers that have gone through polymeri0ation process.
Polymeri0ation is a process that combines monomers to form polymers.
)ynthetic polymers can be classified base on their method of preparation
! polymeri0ation process ".
21.2.2.1 : ddition Polymeri0ation

ddition polymeri0ation is the addition reaction in 'hich unsaturated
monomers are joined together by covalent bonds to form a polymer
'ithout elimination of a small molecule.
Polymers obtained by addition polymeri0ation are called addition polymers.

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.herefore( addition polymer al'ays involves the
polymeri0ation of monomers 'hich have double bond 'ithin
the monomers.
Pero%ide is used as initiator in addition polymeri0ation.
i. :ormation of polyethene
ii. :ormation of polyvinyl chloride
n

&#
2
&#
2
-&#
2
-&#
2
-
5445
! "
n
n

#& &#
2
-#&-&#
2
-
5445
! "
n
&l &l
ethene polyethene
chloroethene
polychloroethene
!polyvinyl chloride or P;&"

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iii. :ormation of polystyrene
iv. :ormation of polyisopropene
phenylethene
!styrene"
Polyphenylethene
!polystyrene"
isoprene
polyisoprene
n

#& &#
2
-#&-&#
2
-
5445
! "
n
n &#
2
9&-&#9&#
2
-&#
2
-&9&#&#
2
-
&#
2
&#
2
n

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21.2.2.2 : &ondensation Polymeri0ation
&ondensation polymeri0ation is a process that combines the monomers
'ith elimination of a small molecule such as 'ater( methanol( hydrogen
chloride or ammonia to form a polymer.
.he polymers obtained from condensation polymeri0ation are called
condensation polymers.
.he monomers involves in this polymeri0ation must have at least t'o
identical or different functional group in the molecule.
<hen a carbo%ylic acid 'ith t'o =&44# group reacts 'ith an amine
'ith t'o =3#
2
groups( a polyamide is formed.
<hen a carbo%ylic acid 'ith t'o =&44# group reacts 'ith an alcohol
'ith t'o =4# groups( a polyester is formed.

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!". Polyamides
i. :ormation of 3ylon 8(8
ii. :ormation of 3ylon 8
he%ane-1(8-diamine
3ylon 8(8
4 4
n #
2
3-!&#
2
"
8
-3#
2
+ n #4-&-!&#
2
"
7
-&-4#
-3-!&#
2
"
8
-3-&-!&#
2
"
7
-&- + n #
2
4
4 4
# #
! "
n
he%ane-1(8-dioic acid
!
"
n
n #
2
3-!&#
2
"
>
-&-4#
4 4
-3#-!&#
2
"
>
-&- + n #
2
4
3ylon 8
8-aminohe%anoic
acid

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iii. :ormation of ?evlar
!,". Polyester
.he repeating functional groups in this polymer chain are ester.
.he most familiar polyester is polyethylene terephthalate kno'n as @acron and
.erylene.
1(7-diaminoben0ene
?evlar
terephthalic acid
n #-3- -3-# + n &l-&- -&-&l
4 4
#
#

3- -3-&- -&
#
# 4
4
n
+ n #&l

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.he polymer is formed by the reaction of ethylene glycol
'ith methyl ester or terephtalic acid.
In this process( a molecule of methanol is split out for
each ne' ester group formed.
i. :ormation of @acron
@acron or poly!ethylene terephthalate" metanol
4 4
n &#
2
4-&- -&-4&#
2
+ n #4-&#
2
&#
2
-4#
-4-&#
2
&#
2
-4-&- -&- + n &#
2
4#
4 4
! "
n
1(2-ethanediol
!ethylene glycol"
dimethyl terephthalate

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ii. :ormation of .erylene
.erylene
ethane-1(2-diol
ben0ene-1(7-dicarbo%ylic acid
'ater
4 4
n

#4-&#
2
&#
2
-4# + n
#4
-&- -&-4#
-4-&#
2
&#
2
-4-&- -&- + n

#
2
4
4 4
! "
n

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21.7 : Ases of )ynthetic Polymers
3o. Polymer Ases
1 Polyethene plastics( drinking bottles( toys
2 Polyvinyl chloride piping( floor tiles( clothing( toys(
'ire covering
2 Polystyrene containers( thermal insulation-ice buckets
7 3ylon 8 .e%tile
> 3ylon 8(8 )'eater
8 ?evlar ,ullet proof vest
B @acron :abric
C .erylene :iber-optic material