Organic Chemistry 2 - Polymers

Question 1

Polymer

Answer 1

molecule produced naturally or synthetically from monomers bonded together

Question 2

Addition polymerisation

Answer 2

chemical reaction between monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer

Question 3

Condensation polymerisation

Answer 3

When two monomers react in a condensation reaction, a small molecule (usually water) is produced as aby-product.

Question 4

Polyester

Answer 4

produced through the reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid functional group.

Question 5

Polyamide

Answer 5

produced through reaction between a carboxylic acid and an amine functional group.

Question 6

LDPE

Answer 6

Low density polyethene (produced in high temperatures and high pressures - possess many branches extending from the parent chain)

Question 7

HDPE

Answer 7

high density polyethene (produced in low temperatures and low pressures - produce little branching)

Question 8

Monomer

Answer 8

A small molecule from which a polymer can be made

Question 9

Thermoplastic polymers

Answer 9

Polymers are only thermoplastics if the attractions between the long polymer chains are intermolecular forces; hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole forces or dispersion forces.

Question 10

Thermosetting polymers

Answer 10

decompose or burn when heated. They do not soften because the bonds between the chains are very strong. The covalent bonds between the polymer chains are called cross-links.

Question 11

Elastomer Polymers

Answer 11

Formed when only occasional cross-links are present. The chains in these polymers can still move past each other when stretched but the cross-links return the chains to their original positions once the forces causing the stretching is released.

Question 12

Co-polymers

Answer 12

produced by combing two or more different monomers together into one polymer.

Question 13

bioplastic

Answer 13

Bioplastics are plastics produced from plant-based biomass. This is an alternative to fossil fuel sourced plastics.

Question 14

Fossil fuel plastics

Answer 14

Vast majority of widely use plastics in society are produced from fossil fuels, particularly crude oil.

Question 15

examples of fossil fuel plastics

Answer 15

HDPE/LDPE, PVC, PP and PS

Question 16

Mechanical recycling

Answer 16

Plastics are shredded into small flakes, which are melted and crushed together to form pellets.
These pellets are then sent to manufacturers as raw materials to make new products from the same plastic.

Question 17

Chemical recycling

Answer 17

conversion of plastics back into either their constituent polymers, monomers or organic chemicals.

Question 18

Compostability

Answer 18

Compostable plastics require the high-temperature environment of an industrial composter. Microorganisms break down composable plastics in a short amount of time (at least 90% broken down).
No toxic residue or microplastics are left behind.