6.2.3 Polyesters and polyamides

Question 1

Addition polymers definition

Answer 1

Made by joining up many of one type of monomer to form a very long chain of carbon atoms

Question 2

What are monomers?

Answer 2

alkene molecules made by cracking a non renewable crude oil

Question 3

Disposal of addition polymers

Answer 3

1. Incinerate to produce energy
2. Use as organic feedstock in cracking to make new monomers and fuel
3. Sorted into type of polymer then recycled

Question 4

Why aren’t addition polymers biodegradable?

Answer 4

due to the high bond enthalpy of the c-c bond

Question 5

Condensation polymers definition

Answer 5

many monomers join up to form a very long chain AND a small molecule is also made and expelled

Question 6

What are the monomers in a polyester?

Answer 6

dicarboxylic acid and a di-ol

or use a more reactive di-acyl-chloride instead of a dicarboxylic acid

Question 7

What are the monomers in a polyamide?

Answer 7

dicarboxylic acid and a diamine

or use a more reactive di-acyl-chloride instead of a dicarboxylic acid

Question 8

Disposal of condensation polymers

Answer 8

1. Both linkages are polar, so the c-o ester bond and the c-n amide bond can be broken by acid or base hydrolysis (therefore biodegradable as chain split into pieces)
2. The c=o bond present in both linkages all absorb UV light and break - making condensation polymers photodegradable

Question 9

Hydrolysis of condensation polymers requirements

Answer 9

Acid - HCl(aq), H2O, reflux
-NH2 is a base and accept H+ from the acid

Base - NaOH(aq), H2O, reflux
- NaOH is an alkali ad reacts with -COOH