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monomers
POLYMERS
synthetic polymers
synthetic polymers
many of raw materials for synthetic polymers are obtain from types of synthetic polymers
-> petroleum
plastics fibers elastomers
same monomer...
-A-A-A-A
Different monomers...
Monomers of two different types A+B+A+B -A-B-A-B
Eg polyamides, Polyesters
Polymerisation
Addition Polymerisation
A carbon carbon double bond is needed in the monomer A monomer is the small molecule that makes up the polymer
H n
H H C C H H
n poly(ethene)
Addition Polymerisation
The polymer is the only product Involves the opening out of a double bond
The conditions of the reaction can alter the properties of the polymer
Reaction proceeds by a free radical mechanism Oxygen often used as the initiator
Addition polymerisation
The board specifies that you know this addition polymerisation reaction
H H C C H H H H H C C C C H H
Addition polymerisation
Conditions are high pressure and an oxygen initiator (to provide the initial free radical). Monomer = phenylethene Polymer = poly(phenylethene)
H H
chloroethene
Ziegla and Natta in the 1950s cam up with a way of controlling the repeating unit.
They won a Joint Nobel prize for their work The polymerisation process can be controlled used a tin/aluminium catalyst at 50C and 1.5atm
Previous to this only one type of poly(ethene) could be made, called LDPE or low density poly(ethane). The chains formed a tangled mass. HDPE could now be produced. This has a much stiffer structure due to areas of crytallinity where the polymer chains are much more ordered.
Continues...
HDPE has a much higher boiling point due to these more ordered regions. Generally used to make plastic bottles. Ziegler and Natta also discovered that they could make stereo regular polymers. Isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic.
Condensation Polymers
Involves 2 monomers that have different functional groups. They also involve the elimination of water or another small molecule. Hence the term condensation polymer. Monomer A + Monomer B Polymer + small molecule (normally water). Common condensation polymers include polyesters (the ester linkage) and polyamides (the amide linkage as in proteins).
Polyesters
The OCR example here is terylene, a polymer of benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-diol. The ester linkage is formed between the monomers
Polyesters
You need to be able to reproduce the formation of terylene, and possibly predict the structures of other polyesters
O n HO C O C OH + n HO CH2 CH2 OH heat with an acid catalyst O C O C O CH2 CH2 O n poly(ethan-1,2-diyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate)
Polyamides
These involve the linkage of two monomers through the amide linkage as in proteins (e.g. silk)
H N H 1,6-diaminohexane (CH2)6 N
H H
O C HO (CH2)4 C
O OH hexanedioic acid
O (CH2)4 C
Kevlar a polyamide
O H2N NH2 C HO (CH2)4 C OH O
O C
Uses of polyamides
The main use of polyesters and polyamides is as fibres in clothing. Most clothing now has a degree of manufactured fibres woven into the natural material (such as cotton). This gives the material more desirable characteristics, such as stretchiness, and better washability. Dont forget that proteins are also polyamides, you must know how the linkage works with natural polymers such as proteins.
Thermoplastics (80%)
Thermosets
formed
by
Bonds prevent chains moving relative to each other. What will the properties of this type of plastic be like?
Critical length needed before strength increases. Hydrocarbon polymers average of 100 repeating units necessary but only 40 for nylons. Tensile strength measures the forces needed to snap a polymer. More tangles + more touching!!!
Crystalline polymers
Areas in polymer where chains packed in regular way. Both amorphous and crystalline areas in same polymer. Crystalline - regular chain structure - no bulky side groups. More crystalline polymer stronger and less flexible.
Properties of plastics
Light
strong
malleable
inert to chemical
Properties of plastics
Strong Inert to chemical attacks Easily molded or shaped and be colored Cheap Able to resist corrosion Special properties can be made according to specific needs
Polymer containers not buried in the ground Become breeding ground for mosquitoes So caused diseases such as dengue
The non-biogradeable polymers thrown into rivers > lakes -> seas
Swallowed by aquatic animals Animals die due to chocking
CATEGORY
Code
Example
DENSITY
PETE
1.38 1.39
2 3
HDPE V
4 5 6
LDPE PP PS
OTHER
Possible Questions!!!
What is a monomer? Explain polymerization and its types? Examples of polymers? Classification of polymers. What are thermosets and thermoplastics? Explain the structural differences between thermosets and thermoplastics? What are the effects of heat and force on thermoplastics and thermosets? Differntiate thermosets and thermoplastics. Properties and limitations of plastics What are different additives? Classification of additvies and its properties List the polymers used in automobile.