Synthetic Polymers - IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry

Name of polymer for ethene

poly(ethene)

Name of polymer for propene

poly(propene)

Name of polymer for chloroethene

poly(chloroethene)

Name of polymer for tetrafluoroethene

poly(tetrafluoroethene) aka teflon

Common use of poly(ethene)

plastic bags and bottles

Common use of poly(propene)

ropes and crates

Common use of poly(chloroethene)

electrical cable insulation

Common use of poly(tetrafluoroethene)

non-stick coatings on cooking pans

Monomer

A simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers

Polymer

A long chain molecule made of monomers joined together

Addition Polymerisation

The process in which unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers) add on to a growing polymer chain one at a time to form a very long saturated molecular chain (the addition polymer).

C=C

what is needed for a monomer to undergo an addition reaction

Single repeat unit of poly(chloroethene)

Balanced equation for polymerisation of propene

During addition polymerisation......

the C=C breaks and joins up with neighbouring molecules

Single repeat unit of poly(tetrafluoroethene)

Non-biodegradable

Cannot be broken down by microorganisms

Condensation Polymerisation happens when......

...... two functional groups react together to form a polymer and water

A polyester is formed when .......

...... a diol reacts with a dicarboxylic acid