Topic 29: Polymers Flashcards
Polymer
Many monomers joined in a long chain molecule
Addition polymers
Many monomers containing at least one C=C form long chains of polymers as the only product (no double bonds)
Repeating unit
No brakets no ns just the section of the polymer that is repeated with bonds attached to nothing on the ends
Product made from alkene in addition polymerisation
(-c-c)n
Brackets and ns
Hydrogens attaches
Bonds on end go over the brackets
Condensation polymer
2 or more molecules react to form one molecule and water usually makes ester
Repeating unit of condensation polymer
Get rid of OH on one side and H of other leaving on O and the rest of the molecule with trailing bonds
Terylene reaction
benzene - 1,4 - dicarboxylic acid + ethane - 1,2 - diol makes
Amide linkage
-CONH-
Nylon production 6,6
Hexanedioic acid + 1,6-diaminohexane
makes an amide linkage
Kevlar production
benzene - 1,4 - dicarboxylic acid and benzene - 1,4 - diamine
Kevlar uses
Bullet proof vest
Condensation polymers biodegradable
Yes, have polar bonds so are susceptible to nucleophilic attack e.g. water
Polyalkenes biodegradable
No, don’t have polar bonds so can’t biodegrade
Burying (landfill) pros and cons
Cheap,easy
Plastic decomposes to release methane, takes up space
Burning pros and cons
Gets rid of it, heat can be used to generate electricity
Can release toxic chemicals that have to be removes, CO2 produced greenhouse gas
Recycling pros and cons
Cuts down landfill, saves raw material (oil non renewable), produces less CO2 than burning plastic
Labour intensive sorting, costs more than landfill, plastic can be contaminated
