Polymers Flashcards
What is comdensation polymerisation?
A reaction between monomers with two different functional groups, with the loss of a small molecule
What are polyesters?
Comdensation polymers formed by the reactions between a dicarboxylic acid and a diol
What link joins polyesters, and what small molecule is eliminated?
Ester link, water is eliminated
What are polyesters used for?
Carpets and clothing
What are polyamides?
Comdemsatipn polymers for,ed by a dicarboxylic acod and a diamine
What is the link in a polyamode and what molecule of water is removed?
Amide link, water is removed
Give two examples lf polyamides
Kavlar, Nylon 6,6
What is nylon 6,6 used for?
Clothing, carpets and ropes
What is kevlar used for?
Bullet proof vests and helmets
Why is Kevlar stronger than most other polyamides?
Kevlar chains are flat and packed closely together, so the intermolecular flrces between neighbouring chains are stringer, they have hydrogen bknding between the N of one amide link and a H in another
Gove an example of a polyamide formed from a single monomer?
Polypeptides, formed from monomers of amino acids woth amode links
What are addition polymers?
The successive addition of a monomer to a growing polymer chain
What monomers are usually used for addition polymers?
Alkenes
Compare the physical proteroes of addition and comdensation polymers
Condensation polymers are stronger and more rigid than addition. They have stronger intermolecular forces between neighbouring chains due to hydrogen bonding and dipole forces.
Additipn polymers are not polar so do not have dipole-dipole for es of attraction
What is hydrolysis?
The breaking of bonds using water
Why can addition polymers not be hydrolysed?
As they are chemically inert due to their single carbon backbone, so do not react/attract the water
What are the two ways of hydrolysing comdemsation polymers?
Acid or alkaline hydrolysis (acid or alkaline catalysts)
What are the products of acid hydrolysis of polyesters?
Produces a dicarboxylic acid and a diol
What are the products of the alkaline hydrolysis of polyesters?
A diol, and the salt of the carboxylic acid
What are the products of the acid hydrolysis of polyamides?
Dicarboxylic acid, and a salt of the diamine
What are the products of the alkaline hydrolysis of polyamides?
Diamine and salt of the carboxylic acid
Stsate three ways that condensation polymers can be disposed of
Hydrolysis
Attack by a nucleophile (as they are polar molecules)
Biodegradable, so will break down naturally
Why are addition polymers not biodigradable?
Because they are chemically inert. The bonds between chains are strong and non polar, so they do not attract nucleophiles
They will vuild up on waste tips and landfill sites
State three ways that addition polymers can be disposed of
Burying, combustion or recycling
