Chapter 2 polymers

Why are plastics ubiquitous (found everywhere)?

• because they are lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and can be shaped into almost any form

• Their versatility (ability to adapt) and wide range of useful properties make them suitable for countless products, do they are found everywhere in modern life

Make a T-chart to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of plastics

• advantages

  • lightweight and easy to shape into many forms

  • strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion and chemicals

  • inexpensive to produce from petroleum feedstocks

• Disadvantages

  • non-biodegradable (doesn’t decompose easily in env) therefore making it bad for the env

  • contributes to pollution

  • breaks down into microplastics that harm wildlife and enter foodchains

  • burning plastics releases toxic gases and greenhouse emissions

Make a T-chart to compare some natural polymers to synthetic polymers

• natural polymers

  • made by all living things

  • examples include: DNA, RNA, starch, cellulose

  • biodegradable

  • used in biological structures and processes

• synthetic polymers

  • man-made, produced in laboratories or factories

  • made from plants or petrochemicals

  • examples include: polyester and polyamide fabrics, containers made of polyethene or polypropene

  • non-biodegradable

  • used in everyday products like plastic bags, containers, fabrics, etc…

  • can be easily modified

Define:

a) polymer

b) monomer

c) addition polymer

d) homopolymer

e) copolymer

a) large, usually chain-like molecule that are built from small molecules/monomers

b) small molecules that make up polymers

c) the result of the reaction between monomers with unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds

• in other words, very long organic molecule formed as the result of addition reactions between monomers with unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds

d) a polymer formed by reactions involving a single type of monomer

• in other words, polymer of a single type of monomer

e) polymer made of two or more different types of monomers combined 

Draw the monomer and polymer of the following (5 monomers in length):

polyethene

Draw the monomer and polymer of the following (5 monomers in length):

polypropene

Draw the monomer and polymer of the following (5 monomers in length):

polystyrene

Name the 2 types of reactions involved in making copolymers

• addition reactions

• condensation reaction (where a molecule of water is eliminated as each new bond forms)

make a chart listing the advantages, applications, and others for the following polymer:

Vulcanized rubber

• advantages:

  • stronger and more durable than natural rubber

  • less brittle in cold temps and less soft in heat

  • higher melting point

  • better resistance to wear

• applications

  • used in battery boxes, pumps, dental plates, and fountain pens

  • most importantly used in automobile tires

• Other

  • developed by Charles Goodyear (American inventor)

  • Made by heating natural rubber with sulfur (process called vulcanization)

  • improves the physical properties of natural rubber by forming cross-links between polymer chains

make a chart listing the advantages, applications, and other for the following polymer:

bakelite

• advantages:

  • fully synthetic polymers (first of its kind)

  • lightweight

  • heat and moisture resistant

  • non-conductive and chemically stable

  • can be colored easily

  • helped reduce pressure on endangered species by replacing natural materials

• applications

  • replaced wood, ivory, and ebony in many products

  • used for jewelry, dishes, telephones, toys, and other consumer/industrial products

• others:

  • invented by Leo Hendrick

  • many bakelite items are now considered collectables

make a chart listing the advantages, applications, and other for the following polymer:

PVC

• advantages

  • durable and long-lasting

  • can be modeled into various shapes for different uses

• applications

  • flooring, shower curtains, plumbing pipes

  • first durable material used to record and play back music

• others:

  • invented by Waldo Semon

  • became widely used worldwide due to its versatility

make a chart listing the advantages, applications, and other for the following polymer:

Celluloid

• advantages:

  • could replace ivory in products like billiard balls

  • flexible and moldable

• applications

  • billiard balls

  • celluloid film played a central role in the development of the movie industry

• others:

  • one of the early synthetic polymers

  • helped reduce the use of natural ivory

make a chart listing the advantages, applications, and other for the following polymer:

Kevlar

• advantages

  • extremely strong and lightweight

  • resistant to heat and corrosion

  • does not conduct electricity

• applications

  • used in bulletproof vests and other protective gear

  • found in tires, ropes, cables, and sports equipment

• others:

  • developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPoint in 1965

  • first used commercially in early 1970s

  • Kevlar is a type of para-aramid synthetic fiber

What is an addition polymer? Give an example of a very common addition polymer

• a very long organic molecule formed as the result of addition reactions between monomers with unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds

• a very common example is what plastic is made of, being polyethene

Draqw the formula of the monomer, the name of the polymer, formula of polymer (3 monomers in length), and applications for the following monomer:

chloroethene

Draw the formula of the monomer, the name of the polymer, formula of polymer (3 monomers in length), and applications for the following monomer:

tetrafluoroethene

Draw the formula of the monomer, the name of the polymer, formula of polymer (3 monomers in length), and applications for the following monomer:

vinzylbenzene

Define plastics. Explain how plastics are capable of being stable but can still be molded into shapes and be flexible.

• plastic →a synthetic substance that can be moulded (often under heat and pressure) and that can retain its shape

• plastics are stable because their long polymer chains are chemically strong and resistant to breaking down, but they are also flexible and moldable because when heated, their molecular motion increases, allowing their chains to glide past each other

Define condensation polymer

• a very long organic molecule formed as a result of condensation reactions between monomers with two functional groups

List 2 common linkages that form as a result of condensation polymerization

• ester linkage (-COO-) →formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol

• amide linkage (-CONH-) →formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an amine

What bi-product is produced from a condensation polymerization reaction?

• water (H2O)

Define polyester

• a polymer formed by a condensation reaction that results in ester linkages between monomers

Draw the formula of the monomer and the polymer ( 4 linkages in length) for the following plastic:

polyester

Draw the formula of the monomer and the polymer ( 4 linkages in length) for the following plastic:

dacron