CHEMISTRY MADE SIMPL BY L.

8.31 Polymers
 A polymer is a very large molecule that consists of many smaller molecules
joined together by covalent bonds. These smaller units that make up the
polymer are also called monomers.

Synthetic Polymers

 Man-made polymers.

Addition Polymerisation

 Addition polymerisation occurs for unsaturated monomers. The reaction takes

place under high temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst.
 The process involves breaking the C = C bond so that the monomers can form
bonds with other monomers. No atom or molecule is lost in this process, so
the empirical formula of the addition polymer is the same as its monomer.
 Poly (ethene) is produced through the addition polymerisation of ethene. It is
used in making plastic bags and clingfilm
 From monomer to polymer Example: Formation of poly (ethene) from ethene.
Ethene has double bond. Another ethene molecules add to this unsaturated
compound during polymerisation to form bigger compound.

 Repeat unit is the simplest part of the polymer which is repeated many times
to form the polymer. We take the repeat unit to write the simplified formula
of the polymer, where n is a large number. From this repeat unit, to find the
monomer formula, we add double bond between C – C and remove the bonds
on each of their sides.

More examples in class

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Uses of addition polymers

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PLASTICS

 Plastics are non-biodegradable – they cannot be decomposed by bacteria.
Therefore, many plastic waste will pollute the Earth
 Plastics produce toxic gas (such as hydrogen chloride) when burnt and this
contributes to acid rain.
 Plastics produce carbon dioxide when burnt – increases global warming.
 Plastics that require CFC during production may contribute to global warming
when the CFC is allowed to escape

Condensation Polymerisation

 Condensation polymerisation involves joining of monomers with the loss of a

small molecule for each linkage formed.
 Nylon is a polyamide that has monomers joined together by amide linkages.
It is formed from dicarboxylic acids and diamines. The formation of an amide

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linkage between the carboxyl and amine groups results in the loss of a water
molecule.

 Terylene is a polyester that has monomers joined together by ester linkages. It

is formed from dicarboxylic acids and diols. The formation of an ester linkage
between the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups results in the loss of a water
molecule. Nylon and Terylene are both used to make clothing, curtains,
fishing lines, parachutes and sleeping bags.

Natural Polymers

 Proteins and carbohydrates (starch) are both examples of natural

macromolecules. In a protein the monomer is various different amino acids:
 They are condensation polymers where the ‘acid’ end of one amino acid joins
to the ‘amino’ end of the next, forming an amide linkage and one molecule of
water each time
 Proteins can be broken back down to amino acids by strong acids or strong
alkalis. This process is called hydrolysis
 Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen & oxygen. General formula is
Cn(H2O)n. The simplest carbohydrate is C6H12O6 (glucose).

Equations in class (add to your notes)