6.2.3: Polyesters and polyamides

Question 1

What is condensation?

Answer 1

Small molecule eliminated (usually H2O) to form

a larger molecule

Question 2

How many monomers are condensation polymers

usually formed from?

Answer 2

2

Question 3

What properties do these monomers forming

condensation polymers have?

Answer 3

Each has two functional groups

Question 4

Examples of condensation polymers?

Answer 4

Polyesters
Polyamides
Polypeptides

Question 5

What is the linkage in a polyester?

Answer 5

O=C-O -the ester linkage

Question 6

What molecule is eliminated in formation of a

polyester?

Answer 6

water

Question 7

What are the two monomers which form a polyester

(generic names and structures)?

Answer 7

Diol and dicarboxylic acid or a molecule with both alcohol and a carboxylic acid functional groups

Question 8

Which monomers is Terylene made from?

Answer 8

Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid

Ethane-1,2-diol

Question 9

What is Terylene used for?

Answer 9

As a fibre for making clothes

Question 10

What is the linkage in a polyamide?

Answer 10

C=O H-N (C single bonded to O as well)

Question 11

Which molecule is eliminated when a polyamide is

formed?

Answer 11

water

Question 12

What are the two monomers used to form a polyamide (generic names and structures)?

Answer 12

Diamine and dicarboxylic acid

Question 13

Examples of polyamides?

Answer 13

Nylon, Kevlar

Question 14

Which monomers is Nylon-6,6 made from?

Answer 14

1,6 diaminohexane

Hexanedioic acid

Question 15

If you are making Nylon in the lab, what monomers would you use and why? What molecule is eliminated?

Answer 15

Use hexane-1,6-diacyl chloride as the rate of reaction is much faster. HCl is eliminated

Question 16

What is Kevlar used for?

Answer 16

In body armour (bullet proof vests, stab vests),

helmets (e.g. F1 drivers’), oven gloves

Question 17

Which monomers make up Kevlar?

Answer 17

1,4-diaminobenzene

Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid

Question 18

Why are poly(alkenes) not biodegradable?

Answer 18

Non-polar C-H and C-C bonds

Question 19

Why is it bad to burn poly(alkenes)?

Answer 19

Releases CO2, CO, C (soot) and other toxic chemicals from monomers

Question 20

Where do most poly(alkenes) end up?

Answer 20

Landfill sites

Question 21

Why can condensation polymers be broken down?

Answer 21

They have polar bonds

Question 22

How are condensation polymers broken down?

Answer 22

Hydrolysis (opposite of condensation)

Question 23

What is the difference between addition and

condensation polymerisation?

Answer 23

Condensation makes the polymer and eliminates
a small molecule; addition polymerisation breaks
C=C to form only one product (just the polymer).

Question 24

Explain hydrogen bonding between polyamides.

Answer 24

Both C=O and N-H are polar bonds, as N’s electronegativity >
H’s and O’s electronegativity > C’s.
Hydrogen bonding between H + and O - in different
molecules
Uses the lone pair of electrons on the O atom

Question 25

Why do polyesters not show hydrogen bonding?

Answer 25

All O-H bonds are removed during polymerisation