Chemistry - 11 Polymers - 11.1 Addition Polymerisation & 11.2 Condensation Polymerisation

Monomer

small chemical unit that makes up a polymer

Polymer

large compound formed from combinations of many monomers

Polymer of alkene

poly(alkene)

Addition polymerisation

combination of a large number of monomers to form a single chain

Why are polyalkenes unreactive?

as they are saturated and contain only single covalent bonds

How does addition polymerisation work?

the C=C double bond is 'broken' so that either end can bond to another carbon

Advantages of polyester fibres [2]:

- hard-wearing
- less wrinkling

Advantages of nylon fibres [3]:

- lightweight
- less wrinkling
- non-absorbent (dries quickly)

What are the products of condensation polymerisation?

condensation polymer + small molecule (H₂O or HCl)

Two types of condensation polymerisation [2]:

- between two different monomers with different functional groups on both ends (xAx + yBy)
- between the same monomer with two different functional groups on either side of each (xAy + xAy)

Diol

an alcohol containing two -OH groups (e.g. butane diol)

Dicarboxylic acid

a carboxylic acid containing two -COOH groups (e.g. butane dioic acid)

Carbon backbone

the chain or ring upon which the remainder of the molecule is built

Polyesters are made with... [2]

- a diol
- a dicarboxylic acid

Diol + dicarboxylic acid

condensation polymer + water

Amine group

NH₂

Amino acid

monomer of protein

What does the dicarboxylic acid give to the water molecule in condensation polymerisation?

-OH

What does the diol give to the water molecule in condensation polymerisation?

-H

Addition polymers are ... while polyesters are ...

non-biodegradable, biodegradable