CURTIN UNIVERSITY

MAEN1000

Week 3: Organic Chemistry and Polymer tutorial

1. Name the following compounds and determine the molecular formula:

a) b) c)

2. Draw the 5 isomeric structures of hexanes

3. Classify the following as an alkane, alkene or alkyne (assuming that none are cyclic
hydrocarbons):
a) C7H16 b) C5H8 c) C5H10 d) C10H22

4. Write an equation for the addition (chain) polymerisation of tetrafluoroethylene.

5. Write an equation for the condensation (step) polymerisation of ethylene glycol,

HOCH2CH2OH, with oxalic acid, HOOCCOOH. What is the by-product of the reaction?

6. The number average molecular weight of polystyrene is 130,000 g/mol. Calculate the
number-average degree of polymerization.

7. Make comparisons of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers: (a) on the basis of

mechanical characteristics upon heating; and (b) according to possible molecular
structures.

8. Below are molecular weight data for a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) material. Calculate: (a)
the number-average molecular weight; (b) the weight-average molecular weight; and (c)
the degree of polymerisation.

Molecular weight xi wi
range (g/mol)
10,00020,000 0.03 0.01
20,00030,000 0.09 0.04
30,00040,000 0.15 0.11
40,00050,000 0.25 0.23
50,00060,000 0.22 0.24
60,00070,000 0.14 0.18
70,00080,000 0.08 0.12
80,00090,000 0.04 0.07

xi = fraction of total number of chains of size range i

wi = weight fraction of chains of size range i