1. Production of Materials Flashcards
(90 cards)
1.1 What is the industrial source of ethylene?
Catalytic cracking - splitting of large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules in the presence of a catalyst
1.1 What are the products of catalytic cracking?
An alkane (with a shorter chain than the original) An alkene
1.1 Example of catalytic cracking
C10H22 -> C8H18 + C2H4 (in the presence of heat and a zeolite catalyst)
1.1 What are the uses of catalytically cracked hydrocarbons?
Shorter alkanes can be bended with petrol to increase supply
Alkenes (e.g. ethylene) are useful building blocks for a variety of chemicals
1.2 What property of ethylene makes it readily transformed into many useful products?
Alkenes are highly reactive where electrons are more densely held (near the double bond)
To achieve a more even spread of electrons, the double bond must break and form single bonds (and new products)
1.3 What is an example of ethylene serving as a monomer?
Ethylene is oxidised with a catalyst, then hydrolysed to form ethylene glycol. This is used as a solvent and to make anti-freeze.
C2H4O + H2O -> HO-CH2-CH2-OH(l)
1.4 What type of polymer is polyethylene?
Addition polymer
Polymers are substances made of very long molecules which are made up of smaller units called monomers, covalently bonded together
An addition polymer (such as polyethylene) forms when small molecules add together to form longer molecules, with no other product
1.5 What are the steps in the production of polyethylene?
- Initiation - a chemical called an initiator starts the reaction by opening the double bond of an ethylene monomer. This forms an ethylene free radical - very reactive molecule
- Propagation - the monomer joins, forming a chain
- Termination - when free radical ethylene chains combine, a complete molecule is formed and the process stops
1.5 What are the different types of polyethylene?
LDPE (low density polyethylene) - Produced under high temperatures and pressures (300ºC). Produces significant chain branching - molecules cannot pack together
HDPE (high density polyethylene) - Produced under low pressures and temperatures (60ºC). Molecules unbranched and pack closely together, creating a more crystalline substance.
1.6 What are two commercially significant monomers?
Vinyl chloride (chloroethene) Stereo (ethenyl benzene)
1.7 What are the properties and uses of vinyl chloride’s polymer?
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
Rigid, electrical insulator, moderately resistant to chemical attack, impervious to oils and most organic materials
Uses: Water pipes, credit cards, kitchen utensils, electrical insulation, packaging fatty foods, bottles to hold oils and organic materials
1.7 What are the properties and uses of styrene’s polymer?
Polystyrene
(expanded polystyrene): low density, lightweight, heat insulator, absorbs shock - floatation devices, styrofoam cups, fast food containers
(crystal polystyrene): hard, clear plastic - rigid items - car batter cases, tool handles, audio cassettes and CD cases
1.8 What is the test for comparing reactivities of alkanes and alkenes?
Bromine water test
addition reaction - changes colour from orange to clear when reacted with alkene - double bond breaks and Br atoms are added
Done under fume hood to avoid toxic fumes
2.1 Give three reasons why alternative sources are needed in the petrochemical industry
- petroleum, natural gas and coal are finite resources - price will increase as stores deplete
- 95% used for fuel, 5% for plastics, only small percentage recycled
- plastics from fossil fuels are not biodegradable and when burnt as fuel release CO2 and toxic fumes
2.2 What is a condensation polymer?
A polymer that forms by the elimination of a small molecule (often water) when pairs of monomer molecules join together. (usually 2 different monomers)
2.3 What groups do common types of condensation polymers from from?
monomers containing a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and either an alcohol (-OH) of amine group (-NH2)
2.3 How many atoms do each of the groups give when forming a condensation polymer?
NH2 gives 1H
COOH only gives 1H when combining with -OH, but gives OH when combining with NH2
(all of these combinations create a water molecule)
2.4 Describe the structure of cellulose
Flat, straight and right molecule made of repeating glucose units
Hydroxyl groups on the rings are available to hydrogen bond cellulose molecules together side by side -> strong fibres, insoluble
2.5 Why is cellulose suitable to build petrochemicals?
because it contains the basic carbon-chain structures
it is the most abundant organic compound on earth - 100bn tonnes produced by plants each year
2.5 What are the benefits of using cellulose as a raw material?
- can only be broken down by certain bacteria, protozoa and fungi
- resilient to hydrolysis by acids
- when hydrolysed, produces glucose which can be fermented into ethanol - renewable biomass is converted to evan which normally comes from non-renewable petroleum
2.6 What does PHB stand for?
polyhydroxybutyrate
2.6 What are the properties of PHB?
insoluble in water, permeable to oxygen, resistant to UV light, biocompatible, high melting point, high tensile strength, biodegradable
2.6 What are some applications of PHB?
- Medical - biodegradability and biocompatibility - dissolving casing, disposable instruments
- US Navy - cups can be thrown into water
- Japan - disposable razors - flush down toilets
2.6 What are some limitations of PHB?
brittle, higher cost than fossil fuel plastics, more readily available only in developed countries