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Polymers and Polymerization

Key Concepts

  • Polymer: large molecules made up of many monomers

  • Monomer: simpler substance of which polymer is made

  • Addition Polymerization: monomers' double-bonds open up to form continuous chain

  • Condensation Polymerization: elimination of smaller molecule when functional groups react

Animated Tutorial

Addition Polymerization

Addition polymers form:

  • when unsaturated carbon (organic) molecules react to form a long chain polymer molecule

  • and no small molecules or atoms are eliminated during the reaction

The general reaction can be represented as:
nR-C=C-R'   catalyst  
    →    
-(-R
|
C
-R'
|
C
-)n-

where R and R' can represent hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, alkyl or other carbon-containing side chains.

Monomer Name
Monomer Structure
Polymer Name
Polymer Structure
Polymer Uses
ethene (ethylene)
CH2=CH2
polyethene (polythene or polyethylene)
-[-CH2-CH2-]n-
LDPE for sandwich wrap, cling wrap
HDPE for water pipes, wire insulation

propene (propylene)
CH2=CHCH3
polypropene (polypropylene)
-[-CH2-CHCH3-]n-
electrical appliances, automotive applications, ropes, carpets, films

chloroethane (vinyl chloride)
CH2=CHCl
polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
-[-CH2-CHCl-]n-
indoor electrical conduit, underground water pipes

tetrafluoroethene (tetrafluoroethylene)
CF2=CF2
polytetrafluorethene (polytetrafluoroethylene, teflon)
-[-CF2-CF2-]n-
Insulation for wires, motors, generators, etc.
Anti-stick applications in cookware, bearings.

styrene (vinyl benzene)
CH2=CH
polystyrene
H
|
-[C-
|
H
H
|
C-
|
 
 
]n-
heat and electrical insulation, pipes

acrylonitrile (vinyl cyanide)
CH2=CH-CN
polyacrylonitrile
-[-CH2-CHCN-]n-
acrylic fabrics stronger than wool

vinyl acetate
CH3COOCH=CH2
polyvinylacetate (PVA)
-[-CH3COOCH-CH2-]n-
adhesives, paints

Condensation Polymerization

Condensation polymers form:

  • when bifunctional monomers react to form a long chain polymer molecule

  • small molecules, such as water, are eliminated during the reaction

Polyesters, polyamides, proteins and polysaccharides such as cellulose, are all examples of condensation polymers.

Polyesters

Polyesters form when the -OH functional group of one monomer reacts with the -COOH functional group of another monomer.
An ester link (-COO-) is formed between monomers during the reaction.
H2O is eliminated in the reaction.

General reaction between a dicarboxylic acid and a diol:

HO
|
C
||
O
- R -OH
|
C
||
O
+ HO- R'-OH         OH
|
C
||
O
-R- 
 
C
||
O
-O-R'-OH + H2O

Example:
terephthalic acid + ethylene glycol         polyethyleneterephthalate (terylene or dacron)

nHOOCCOOH + nHO-(CH2)2-OH     -(-OCCOO-(CH2)2-O-)n- + nH2O

Polyamides

Polyamides form when when the -COOH functional group of one monomer reacts with the -NH2 functional group of another monomer.
An amide link or peptide bond (-CO-NH-) forms between monomers during the reaction.
H2O is eliminated in the reaction.

Proteins are naturally occurring polyamides.

General reaction between a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine:

HOOC-R-COOH + H2N-R'-NH2         HOOC-R-CONH-R'-NH2 + H2O

Example:
hexanedioc acid + 1,6-hexanediamine         nylon-6,6 + water
nHOOC-(CH2)4-COOH + nH2N-(CH2)6-NH2   -(-OC-(CH2)4-CONH-(CH2)6-NH-)n- + nH2O

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Related AUS-e-TUTE Topics

Summary of Nomenclature

Naming Straight Chain Alkanes

Naming Branched Chain Alkanes

Naming Simple Alkenes

Naming Simple Alkynes

Naming Structural Isomers of Alkanes

Naming Structural Isomers of Alkenes

Naming Alkanols

Naming Haloalkanes

Carboxylic (alkanoic) Acids

Amines

Functional Groups

Combustion of Hydrocarbons

Halogenation of Hydrocarbons

Hydrohalogenation of Hydrocarbons

Hydration of Alkenes

Oxidation of Alkanols

Dehydration of Alkanols (alcohols)

Preparation and Naming of Esters (Esterification)

Substitution Reactions of Haloalkanes (alkyl halides)

Properties and Uses of Alkanes

Properties and Uses of Ethene (ethylene)

Properties and Uses of Polythene (polyethylene)

Proteins

Carbohydrates (sugars)

 
 

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