UNIT 3 Section 7 - Polymers Flashcards
what is a polymer
long chain molecule made up from lots of small molecules called monomers joined together
what is a monomer
a small molecule that joins with other monomers in polymerisation to form polymers
what is addition polymerisation
formation of long chain polymers from lots of small monomers joining together with no other product
what is condensation polymerisation
where two different monomers with at least 2 functional groups react together to form a link and water is eliminated
what are condensation polymers
polymers formed from a condensation reaction between monomers and a small molecule is released as well as a polymer being formed
what are the two main types of polymers
polyesters and polyamides
are polyesters biodegradable and why
polymers are biodegradable as the they can be hydrolysed by nucleophiles as they have polar bonds in them
what intermolecular bonding do polyamides have
hydrogen bonding
how do you form amides and polyamides
carboxylic acid + amine —> amide
carbox. acid + diamine –>polyamide
2 amino carbox. acid –> polyamide
are polyamides biodegradable and why
yes as they can be hydrolysed in the presence of a strong acid or specific enzyme
name the two polyamides you need to know
Kevlar
Nylon
how do you form Kevlar
condensation reaction
benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and 1,4- diaminobenzene
what is kevlar and what are the uses
a polyamide that is used in bulletproof vests, car tyres and some sports equipment as it is light weight and strong
what is nylon 6,6 and what are the uses and why
polyamide is used in ropes, carpets, clothing and parachutes as it is extremely strong and robust
how is nylon 6,6 made
hexanedioc acid and 1,6 diaminohexane
how are polyesters formed
reacting a dicarboxylic acids and diols together
what is terylene and what are the uses of it
a polyester that is used in plastic drink bottles, sheeting and clothes and this is because it is
what is terylene made from
benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-diol
what type of polymer is stronger and why
condensation polymers are stronger as they have hydrogen binding between polymer chains as well as dipole-dipole and van der waals forces.
what are synthetic polymers used for
plastic bottles, digital technology and non stick pans
are polyalkanes biodegradable and why
no as they are saturated molecules and non polar and hence are unreactive which means they don’t react and don’t degrade well
what are the ways to dispose of polymers
- landfill if they are too difficult to recycle and are biodegradable
-incineration is the plastics cant be recycled to generate electricity#
- recycling reducing the use of crude oil
