polymers + their uses Flashcards
What is a polymer? How do
molecules containing C=C
bond form polymers?
A polymer is a long chain molecule which is made by lots of smaller molecules
joining together.
C=C bonds open up and many smaller molecules (monomers) join together to
form a chain (a polymer). No other products are made.
It is called an “addition polymerisation” reaction
Give 3 examples of addition
polymers and their uses.
Polyethene - plastic bags
(Poly)tetrafluoroethene (PTFE) - teflon surfaces, for use in non-stick kitchenware
(Poly)chloroethene (polyvinylchloride, PVC) - water pipes
What is a repeating unit of a
polymer?
It is a smallest structure which, upon numerous translations, yields the structure of the polymer.
In addition polymers: to draw it, take a monomer, change C=C to C-C and show
additional single bonds extending away from these carbons.
What is a condensation polymer? How is it made? There are 2 main groups - name them and give industrially relevant examples.
It is a polymer made in condensation polymerisation. In this reaction, many molecules join together; the polymer is formed, but also a small molecule is released, e.g. H2O, HCl.
Polyesters, e.g. terylene.
Polyamides, e.g. Nylon.
What is an amide bond?
An amide bond is similar to the ester bond, with O replaced by N, e.g.
(C=O)-NH2
Just like an ester, it contains the C=O group.
What is an amino acid?
It is an organic compound that contains both a carboxylic acid functionality (COOH) and an amine functional group (-NH2).
How do amino acids make
proteins? What are
polypeptides?
By numerous condensation polymerisation reactions; proteins are polymers made
of amino acids (monomers).
*Polypeptides are also made by condensation polymerisation of amino acids, but are shorter than proteins. One could think about proteins as a product of many polypeptide chains bonded together.
What are carbohydrates?
They are organic molecules made of C,H, and O. They are biologically relevant,
e.g. starch and cellulose.
Both of these are polymers made of glucose (other carbohydrate) monomers.
Their structures differ in the way the glucose molecules are joined together.
What is DNA? Describe its
role and structure.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a material that makes up chromosomes - cell
structures that store genetic information.
DNA is made of two polymer chains that are held together in a double helix.
Each polymer chain can be made from 4 different monomers - nucleotides.
how are polymers made?
by joining together many small identical molecules, monomers
what are the two different kinds of polymers?
addition polymers and condensation polymers
list some things ab addition polymerisation
- monomers are alkenes
- repeating unit, same atoms as monomer
- all atoms in the monomer end up in the polymer
list some things ab condensation polymerisation
- monomers are not alkenes
- small molecules are lost
- two different monomers
- each monomer has two of the same functional groups
what are some naturally occurring polymers?
proteins, polymers of amino acids
starch, polymers of glucose
cellulose, polymers of glucose
dna, polymers of nucleotides
