Polymers

Question 1

What is comdensation polymerisation?

Answer 1

A reaction between monomers with two different functional groups, with the loss of a small molecule

Question 2

What are polyesters?

Answer 2

Comdensation polymers formed by the reactions between a dicarboxylic acid and a diol

Question 3

What link joins polyesters, and what small molecule is eliminated?

Answer 3

Ester link, water is eliminated

Question 4

What are polyesters used for?

Answer 4

Carpets and clothing

Question 5

What are polyamides?

Answer 5

Comdemsatipn polymers for,ed by a dicarboxylic acod and a diamine

Question 6

What is the link in a polyamode and what molecule of water is removed?

Answer 6

Amide link, water is removed

Question 7

Give two examples lf polyamides

Answer 7

Kavlar, Nylon 6,6

Question 8

What is nylon 6,6 used for?

Answer 8

Clothing, carpets and ropes

Question 9

What is kevlar used for?

Answer 9

Bullet proof vests and helmets

Question 10

Why is Kevlar stronger than most other polyamides?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Gove an example of a polyamide formed from a single monomer?

Answer 11

Polypeptides, formed from monomers of amino acids woth amode links

Question 12

What are addition polymers?

Answer 12

The successive addition of a monomer to a growing polymer chain

Question 13

What monomers are usually used for addition polymers?

Answer 13

Alkenes

Question 14

Compare the physical proteroes of addition and comdensation polymers

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is hydrolysis?

Answer 15

The breaking of bonds using water

Question 16

Why can addition polymers not be hydrolysed?

Answer 16

As they are chemically inert due to their single carbon backbone, so do not react/attract the water

Question 17

What are the two ways of hydrolysing comdemsation polymers?

Answer 17

Acid or alkaline hydrolysis (acid or alkaline catalysts)

Question 18

What are the products of acid hydrolysis of polyesters?

Answer 18

Produces a dicarboxylic acid and a diol

Question 19

What are the products of the alkaline hydrolysis of polyesters?

Answer 19

A diol, and the sodium salt of the metal acid

Question 20

What are the products of the acid hydrolysis of polyamides?

Answer 20

Dicarboxylic acid, and an ammonium salt of the diamine

Question 21

What are the products of the alkaline hydrolysis of polyamides?

Answer 21

Diamine and sodium salt of the carboxylic acid

Question 22

Stsate three ways that condensation polymers can be disposed of

Answer 22

Hydrolysis
Attack by a nucleophile (as they are polar molecules)
Biodegradable, so will break down naturally

Question 23

Why are addition polymers not biodigradable?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

State three ways that addition polymers can be disposed of

Answer 24

Burying, combustion or recycling