Chapter 13 - Alkenes Flashcards
What is a polymer
A polymer consists of many repeat units (monomers) joined together to make a long chain
How do alkenes form long saturated polymer chains
They undergo addition polymerisation
What are some uses for Polythene
Shopping bags
What are some uses for Polychloroethene and what is it more commonly known as
PVC
* Pipes
* Floor tiles
What are some uses for Polypropene
- Crates
- Ropes
What are some uses for
What are some uses for Polytetrafluoroethene PTFE
Non-stick pans
What are problems with recycling polymers
Costly to sort by hand
Mixed polymers renders the product unusable
PVC recycling - Releases toxic hydrogen chloride and dioxins when burnt
What are positive aspects to recycling polymers
- Conserves finite fossil fuels and decreases amount of waste going into landfill
- Waste polymers can be incinerated to produce heat, generating steam to power turbines producing electricity
- Reclaiming monomers from waste polymers which can be used as raw materials for the production of new polymers
What are biodegradable polymers
Polymers that are broken down by bacteria into water, carbon dioxide, and biological compounds
What are photodegradable polymers
Polymers containing bonds weakened by absorbing light
What is Markownikoff’s rule
The stability of the carbocation intermediate increases the more alkyl groups there are attached to the positively charged carbon atom
Why are alkenes much more reactive than alkanes
- The π-electrons are more exposed than the σ-electrons as they
are on the outside of the double bond - The π-bond readily breaks and alkenes undergo addition
reactions relatively easily
What conditions are required for hydrogenation of alkenes
Nickel Catalyst
What conditions are required for the halogenation of alkenes
React with Chlorine and Bromine at room temperature
