Polymers Notes

Objectives

• Define polymers as large molecules built from small units (monomers).
• Describe the formation of poly(ethene) as an example of addition polymerization using ethene monomers.
• Deduce the structure of the polymer product from a given alkene and vice versa.
• Identify the repeat units and/or linkages in addition polymers and in condensation polymers.
• Describe and draw the structure of:
  • nylon, a polyamide
  • PET, a polyester
• Explain the differences between condensation and Addition polymerization.

Definitions

• Poly- means many.
• -mer means part/segment.
• Mono means one.
• Monomer: Small molecules that can join to make a polymer.
• Polymer: Large molecules made of many repeated small molecules.
• Polymerization: The process of monomers joining to form a polymer.

Addition Polymers

• Alkenes (monomers with double bonds) under high temperature, high pressure, and a catalyst break their double bonds and convert them into single bonds.
• Carbon atoms bond with each other, allowing thousands of ethene molecules to join, forming a long-chain molecule.
• This process is called addition polymerization.