Chapter 29- Condensation Polymerisation

Question 1

What is a polymer?

Answer 1

A large molecule made from many small units bonded together

Question 2

What is a monomer?

Answer 2

A small molecule that bonds to other monomers to form a polymer

Question 3

What is an addition polymer?

Answer 3

A long chain molecule formed when many monomers bond together where the polymer is the only product. Often happens through ‘opening up’ of C=C double bond

Question 4

What is a condensation polymer?

Answer 4

A long chain molecule formed when many monomers bond together producing the polymer and also small molecules, eg water

Question 5

What are some examples of condensation polymers?

Answer 5

Polyesters
Polyamides/ polypeptides

Question 6

What is produced when dicarboxylic acids and diamines react together?

Answer 6

Polyamides, a molecule of water is removed from the
-COOH and -NH2 group and an amide link is formed

Question 7

What are polyamides?

Answer 7

A condensation polymer formed by the linkage of an amino group in one monomer and a carboxylic acid group of another.
They can be broken down by hydrolysis and are biodegradable.

Question 8

What is an amide/ peptide link?

Answer 8

-CONH-

Question 9

What are two examples of polyamides?

Answer 9

Kevlar
Nylon (6,6)

Question 10

How is Kevlar formed?

Answer 10

benzene- 1,4- dicarboxylic acid and benzene- 1,4- diamine react to form Kevlar

Question 11

How is nylon (6,6) formed?

Answer 11

hexane- 1,6 -diamine and hexane- 1,6- dicarboxylic acid react to form nylon 6,6

Question 12

What is produced when dicarboxylic acids and diols react together?

Answer 12

Polyesters, a molecule of water is removed from the
-COOH and -OH group and an ester link is formed

Question 13

What are polyesters?

Answer 13

Condensation polymer formed by the linkage of an alcohol group in one monomer with a carboxylic acid group of another.
These polymers can be broken down by hydrolysis and are biodegradable

Question 14

What is an example of a polyester?

Answer 14

Terylene (PET)

Question 15

How is terylene (PET) formed?

Answer 15

benzene- 1,4- dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2- diol react to produce terylene

Question 16

What is Kevlar used for?

Answer 16

Bulletproof vests

Question 17

What is nylon 6,6 used for?

Answer 17

Clothing, fabrics, etc.

Question 18

What is terylene used for?

Answer 18

Plastic bottles, sheets, sails, etc.

Question 19

What is produced when amino acids react together?

Answer 19

Polyamides, due to one monomer having both -NH2 and -COOH groups, one monomer can form the polymer. A water molecule is removed from the groups forming an amide link

Question 20

What is hydrolysis?

Answer 20

A reaction which uses water to break down a compound

Question 21

How can condensation polymers be broken down through hydrolysis?

Answer 21

They can be broken down into their constituent molecules by the addition of H2O, as it is attracted to polar regions of the polymer so links can be broken down

Question 22

What are common intermolecular forces between condensation polymers?

Answer 22

Dipole-dipole attractions- polar bonds in amide and ester links create permanent dipoles so dipole-dipole attractions between polymer chains
Hydrogen bonds- H bonded to N in amide links create H bonds between polymer chains

Question 23

What properties do condensation polymers have?

Answer 23

Dipole-dipole attractions and H-bonds between polymer chains hold them strongly together, so useful for bulletproof vests and heat-resistant materials

Question 24

What are polyalkenes and what are their properties?

Answer 24

Addition polymers made of alkene monomers joined together. They are chemically inert and non biodegradable due to no polar bonds in main polymer chain

Question 25

What does it mean if something is biodegradable?

Answer 25

It can be decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms

Question 26

How are polyalkenes and other addition polymers disposed of?

Answer 26

They are chemically inert and non-biodegradable so have to be burned producing harmful products

Question 27

How are condensation polymers disposed of?

Answer 27

Polyesters and polyamides can be broken down through hydrolysis due to polar bonds. Can be put into landfill as they are biodegradable and will eventually break down due to moisture and bacteria

Question 28

How can plastics be disposed of?

Answer 28

Can be recycled saving natural resources, but it is difficult and time consuming, have to be sorted and washed

Question 29

Why are condensation polymers biodegradable but addition polymers are not?

Answer 29

Condensation polymers contain polar bonds in the main polymer chain but addition polymers do not Condensation polymers can be broken down through hydrolysis, by bacteria, susceptible to attack from nucleophiles