7.6 Polymers

Question 1

Define an Addition Polymer :

Answer 1

Long chain molecules made from joining together many shorter molecules (monomers) together to form a long chain molecule, with nothing else produced

For example poly(ethene), PVC, poly(propene)

Question 2

Define a Condensation Polymer :

Answer 2

long chain molecules made from joining together many shorter molecules (monomers) together to form a long chain molecule, with some one small molecule also formed (e.g. water)

examples : polyesters (e.g. terylene), polyamides (e.g. nylon, Kevlar)

Question 3

Monomers of addition polymers :

Answer 3

• Alkenes
• Molecules with C=C Bonds

Question 4

Monomers of condensation polymers :

Answer 4

• Usually 2 different monomers with 2 different functional groups
• dicarboxylic acids with diols (polyesters)
• dicarboxylic acids with diamines (polyamides)
• amino acids (polyamides/polypeptides)

Question 5

How do you present a monomer structure :

Answer 5

Question 6

How do you present a polymer structure :

Answer 6

Question 7

How do you present a repeating unit structure :

Answer 7

Question 8

How can we form polyesters ?

Answer 8

Question 9

TERYLENE FORMATION AND REPEATING UNIT

Answer 9

Question 10

How do we form Polyamides ?

Answer 10

Question 11

How do we form Polyamides / Polypeptides ?

Answer 11

Question 12

Nylon Formation and Repeating Unit

Answer 12

Question 13

KEVLAR FORMATION AND REPEATING UNIT

Answer 13

Question 14

Uses of Polyamides :

Answer 14

Question 15

BIODEGRADABILITY AND DISPOSAL OF POLYMERS (Polyalkanes)

Answer 15

Question 16

BIODEGRADABILITY AND DISPOSAL OF POLYMERS (Condensation Polymers)

Answer 16

Question 17

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DISPOSAL (Recycling / Burning)

Answer 17

Question 18

Name the compound H2N(CH2)6NH2 (1)

Answer 18

hexane-1,6-diamine or 1,6-diaminohexane (allow ammine)

Question 19

X belongs to the same type of compound as (CH3)4N+Br–
Name this type of compound (1)

Answer 19

quaternary ammonium bromide salt (1)

Question 20

Give one reason why the polyester is biodegradable (1)

Answer 20

Can be hydrolysed / can react with acid or base or water /
can react with nucleophiles

Question 21

In terms of the intermolecular forces between the polymer chains, explain why polyamides can be made into fibres suitable for use in sewing and weaving, whereas polyalkenes usually produce fibres that are too weak for this purpose (3)

Answer 21

• M1 in polyamides - H bonding
• M2 in polyalkenes - van der Waals forces
• M3 Stronger forces (of attraction) in polyamides

Question 22

Name and outline a mechanism for the reaction of CH3CH2COCl with CH3NH2 (5)

Answer 22

N-methylpropanamide

Question 23

Answer 23

Question 24

Answer 24

• (Poly)ester
• Terylene OR PET
• (Poly)amide
• Kevlar OR nylons
• Hydrogen bonding in b(ii)
• Imfs in (b)(ii) are stronger

Question 25

Name this type of polymer (1)

Answer 25

Condensation / Polyester

Question 26

Give the IUPAC name for the alcohol used to prepare this polyester (1)

Answer 26

**propane-1,3-diol**

Question 27

Answer 27

* Q is **biodegradable** * Polar C=O group or δ+ C in Q (but not in P) * Therefore, can be attacked by nucleophiles (leading to breakdown)

Question 28

Why are poly-alkanes chemically **inert** ?

Answer 28

due to the **strong C-C and C-H bonds** and **non-polar** nature of the bonds and therefore are non-biodegradable

Question 29

**Terylene** | Dicarboxylic Acid + Diol

Answer 29

Question 30

**Chemical reactivity of condensation polymers**

Answer 30

* polyesters and polyamides can be broken down by **hydrolysis** and are, therefore, biodegradable * The reactivity can be explained by the presence of **polar bonds** which can attract attacking species such as **nucleophiles** and acids

Question 31

**Disposal** of Polymers

Answer 31

* Landfill * Incineration * Recycling