3.12 Polymers

Question 1

What are the 2 types of polymerisation?

Answer 1

• Addition

- Condensation

Question 2

When do addition polymers form?

Answer 2

When unsaturated monomers react to form a polymer.

The monomers contain C=C bonds.

Question 3

Why are poly(alkenes) non-biodegradable?

Answer 3

They are chemically inert due to the strong C-C and C-H bonds and non-polar nature of the bonds.

Question 4

Draw the polymer repeating unit for but-2-ene.

Answer 4

(see page 1 in the chemrevise revision guide)

Question 5

What re the 2 most common types of condensation polymers?

Answer 5

• polyesters
• polyamides

Which involve the formation of an ester linkage or an amide linkage.

Question 6

Write the word equation for making a polyester out of a carboxylic acid.

Answer 6

dicarboxylic acid + diol -> poly(ester) + water

Question 7

Write the word equation for making a polyester out of an acyl chloride.

Answer 7

diacyl chloride + diol -> poly(ester) + HCl

Question 8

Write the word equation for making a polyamide out of an acyl chloride.

Answer 8

diacyl chloride + diamine -> poly(amide) + HCl

Question 9

Write the word equation for making a polyamide out of a carboxylic acid.

Answer 9

dicarboxylic acid + diamine -> poly(amide) + water

Question 10

Show the equation for how you would make terylene out of ethane-1,2-diol

Answer 10

(see page 1 in the chemrevise revision guide)

Question 11

What is teryline used for?

Answer 11

Teryline fabric is used in clothing, tire cords.

Question 12

Draw the repeating unit of the polymer made from:

pentanedioyl dichloride + benzene-1,4-diol

Answer 12

(see page 1 in the chemrevise revision guide)

Question 13

Draw the repeating unit for the polyamide - nylon 6,6

And the two monomers used to make it

Answer 13

(see page 2 in the chemrevise revision guide)

Question 14

Draw the repeating unit for the polyamide - kevlar

And the two monomers used to make it

Answer 14

(see page 2 in the chemrevise revision guide)

Question 15

Draw 3 repeating units of the polymer for 4-hydroxybutanoyl chloride

Answer 15

(see page 2 in the chemrevise revision guide)

Question 16

Draw 3 repeating units of the polymer for 2-hydroxypropanoic acid (lactic acid)

Answer 16

(see page 2 in the chemrevise revision guide)

2 lactic acid molecules can also form a ring diester.

Question 17

Draw one repeating unit of the polymer for 4-hydroxypentanoic acid.

Answer 17

(see page 2 in the chemrevise revision guide)

Question 18

Are polyesters and polyamides biodegradable?

Answer 18

Polyesters and polyamides can be broken down by hydrolysis and are, therefore, biodegradable.

The reactivity can be explained by the presence of poor bonds which can attract attacking species such as nucleophiles and acids.

Question 19

Read the box labelled 1 on page 3 of the chemrevise revision guide.

Answer 19

understand?

Question 20

Why do polyamides have higher boiling points than polyesters?

Answer 20

(see page 3 in the chemrevise revision guide)

Question 21

What are the 3 main ways to dispose of polymers?

Answer 21

• landfill
• incineration
• recycling

(see page 3 in the chemrevise revision guide)