synthetic polymers Flashcards
name some examples of addition polymers
alkenes and alkanes
what is polyester
a condensation polymer
what is polymerisation
the joining up of monomers (lots of little molecules) to make a polymer (one big molecule)
what happens in the polymerisation of ethene?
ethene molecules join together to make poly(ethene) aka polythene. nothing is lost so it is an addition reaction
what is addition polymerisation?
molecules that simply add onto each other without anything else being formed.
what would polymerisation of ethene look like?
displayed fomula
how is making a polyester different to making polythene?
when making polythene nothing is lost (condensation reaction) whereas in a polyester you often have 2 molecules joining together alternately. each time 2 monomers combine, a small molecule such as water or hydrogen chloride is lost. the elimination of water makes it a condensation reaction
how are most polyesters formed?
with a diol and dicarboxylic acid
what is a diol? draw one out
an alcohol with 2 -OH groups on wither side
draw out ethane 1,2 diol
what is a dicarboxylic acid aka dioc acid?
an acid with 2 -COOH groups on either length
draw out ethane dioc acid
what are the things in a condensation polymerisation?
diol+dioc acid -> polyester + water
what is the structural formula of ethane 1,2 diol
CH2OHCH2OH
what does each part of ethane 1,2 diol tell you?
ethane - 2 carbon atoms in each molecule
di - tells us there are 2 -OH groups present
**1,2 **tells you the placement of the -OH
what is the structural formula of propane-1,3-diol
CH2OHCH2CH2OH
what is the structural formula of ethanedioc acid?
HOOCCOOH
draw the reaction of ethanedioc acid and ethanediol
draw out what happens to the differend O and H in condensation polymerisation
why are condensation polymers more reactive?
the ester linkage will break down eventually
what are biodegradable polyesters called?
biopolyesters
how can biopolyesters be made?
using lactic acid, this can be obtained from corn starch, which when it undergoes polymerisation it forms the bio polyester aka PLA (polylactic acid)
uses of PLA?
biodegradable plastic bags, surgery for internal stitches
