Polyesters & Polyamides

Question 0

To make a polyester, what functional groups must the monomers have?

Answer 0

COOH and OH

Question 1

Define condensation polymerisation

Answer 1

The joining of two monomers with the elimination of a small molecule such as H2O or HCl

Question 2

What sort of monomers can be used to form polyesters?

Answer 2

1) one monomer is a dicarboxylic acid, the other is a diol

2) just one type of monomer is used, containing COOH and OH groups

Question 3

What is the linkage in a polyester?

Answer 3

-O-C-
||
O

Question 4

Give two examples of polyesters

Answer 4

Terylene

Poly(lactic acid)

Question 5

To make a polyamide, what functional groups must the monomers have?

Answer 5

COOH and NH2

Question 6

What types of monomers can be used to make polyamides?

Answer 6

1) one monomer is a dicarboxylic acid, the other monomer is a diamine
2) just one type of monomer, containing both COOH and NH2 groups

Question 7

What is the linkage in a polyamide?

Answer 7

-N-C-
| ||
H O

Question 8

Give two examples of polyamides

Answer 8

Nylon-6,6

Kevlar

Question 9

State the uses and properties of Kevlar

Answer 9

Fire resistant, strong

It is used to make protective clothing eg bulletproof vests and crash helmets

Question 10

Describe addition polymerisation

Answer 10

Addition polymers are made from one type of polymer only (always alkenes)
The only product is the polymer

Question 11

Describe acid hydrolysis of polyesters

Answer 11

Hot aqueous acid is added eg HCl

The monomer units of the polyester are produced

Question 12

Describe the alkaline hydrolysis of polyesters

Answer 12

Hot aqueous alkali is added eg NaOH
A carboxylate (COO-Na+) salt and an alcohol is produced

Question 13

Describe acid hydrolysis of polyamides

Answer 13

Hot aqueous acid is added eg HCl

A dicarboxylic acid and an ammonium salt of the diamine (NH3+ at both ends of molecule) are produced

Question 14

Describe the alkaline hydrolysis of polyamides

Answer 14

Hot aqueous alkali is added
A carboxylate (COO-Na+) and a diamine are formed

Question 15

How can condensation polymers be good for the environment?

Answer 15

They may be photodegradable as the C=O bond absorbs radiation
They may be hydrolysed at the water or amine group

Question 16

Name some polyesters that biodegradable polymers are based on

Answer 16

Poly(lactic acid) made from lactic acid derived from corn starch
Poly(glycolic acid) made from glycolic acid isolated from sugar cane and unripe grapes