Polymerisation Reactions

Question 1

what kind of compounds can be polymerised

Answer 1

compounds with a C=C bond

Question 2

what are polymerisation reactions essentially and why

Answer 2

• addition reactions

- because the alkene molecules add together in vast numbers to form the polymer

Question 3

what general conditions do polymerisation reactions occur in

Answer 3

conditions of high temperature and pressure

Question 4

what would you technically call an alkene molecule if it were to be used in a polymerisation reaction

Answer 4

a monomer

Question 5

what is the standard way to write the name of a polymer

Answer 5

• to write poly at the beginning

- followed by the name of the monomer in brackets

Question 6

what are the polymer names of ethene, propene, chloroethene, tetraflouroethene and phenylethene

Answer 6

• poly(ethene)
• poly(propene)
• poly(chloroethene)
• poly(tetraflouroethene)
• poly(phenylethene)

Question 7

what are common names of the polymers of ethene, propene, chloroethene, tetraflouroethene and phenylethene

Answer 7

• polythene
• polypropene or polypropylene
• polyvinyl chloride or PVC
• PTFE or teflon
• polystyrene

Question 8

why do formed polymers not have a fixed molecular formula

Answer 8

• because their molecular masses can be anything

- ranging from thousands to millions

Question 9

what do we do instead to show the number of monomer molecules reacting anyway

Answer 9

• we use the letter n

- which is written behind the monomer

Question 10

what do you use to show the repeat unit of the polymer

Answer 10

• you place the repeating units into brackets

- square or curved

Question 11

what do you write after the repeating unit of the polymer in the bracket

Answer 11

the letter n as a subscript

Question 12

what detail needs to be met when drawing the repeating unit of the polymer inside brackets

Answer 12

• the covelant bonds on the carbon atoms needs to be shown passing through the brackets
• this indicates that there is another repeating unit joined to the molecule

Question 13

if you are given a polymer with several repeating units shown, how would you identify the monomer it is made from

Answer 13

• look for a pair or carbon atoms next to each other
• and the four atoms or groups of atoms joined to them
• the monomer structure is then all of these atoms
• but with a double bond between the carbon atoms

Question 14

when you draw the monomer, do you draw it in brackets and write the subscript n and why

Answer 14

• no you dont
• because this is only showing part of the structure
• and not just the repeating unit

Question 15

what is the difference between how you draw the atoms or groups of atoms bonded to the two main carbon atoms when its a monomer and the repeating unit of a polymer

Answer 15

• for the monomers with double bonds you draw the molecules with angles of 120 degrees between the bonds
• but with the repeating unit of the polymer you draw the bonds at 90 degrees

Question 16

what is the definition of a monomer

Answer 16

small molecules that combine together to form a polymer