Studied by 0 peopleDefine polymers
large macromolecules made from repeating subunits called monomers
Structure of polymers
organic compounds that create covalent bonds between carbons with themselves and other elements such as hydrogen
A REPEATING UNIT
Why do polymers have a wide range of different properties?
nature of monomers
lengths
amount of branching in the chain
What bonds are in polymers?
covalent bonds
Natural polymers examples
protein
starch
DNA
Define synthetic polymers
human-made polymers
Examples of synthetic polymers
plastics
Why are plastics useful?
strength
water repellency
unreactivity
light weight
What are the features of biodegradable compounds?
can be broken down by microorganisms
broken down into products found in nature
produces carbon dioxide and water as a byproduct after breaking down
Define compostable
being able to break down alone with food and garden waste in a compost pile
What are the structural features of some plastics that make them biodegradable?
presence of catalysts for breakdown processes
Examples of common synthetic polymers
polystyrene
polythene
nylon
Define addition polymerization reaction
reaction where double bonds of monomers break to form new covalent bonds with neighboring monomers and form a chain.
no other side product is formed
What are the two organic compounds or FUNCTIONAL GROUPS that undergo addition polymerization easily?
Alkenes and Alkynes
What is the functional group of an alkene?
Carbon to carbon double bond
What is the functional group of alkyne?
Carbon to carbon triple bond
Define atom economy
measure of the proportion of reactants that end up in the desired product
Atom economy equation
(molar mass of desired product)/ (molar mass of all reactants) x 100
Why does addition polymerization reaction have a 100% atom economy?
does not produce by products
mass from desired product is the same mass from the reactants
What are some limitations to the atom economy of addition polymerization?
not all reactants can be reacted
environmental factors not suitable for reactions
additional solvents, high temperatures, catalysts, or pressure needed and therefore create waste
Define functional group
Part of a compound that reacts with other compounds
Define alkene compound
compound only consisting of carbon and hydrogen with a carbon to carbon double bond functional group
Define alkyne compound
compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen with a carbon to carbon triple bond functional group
Example of alkene polymerization reaction
Styrene + styrene → polystyrene
methylpropene + methylpropene → polyisobutylene
Define condensation polymers
polymers formed by condensation reaction between two functional groups of monomers with a release of a small molecule
What monomers can be used to make condensation polymers?
monomers with two functional groups each
What is formed when condensation reaction happens?
new covalent bonds
For each covalent bond, how many water molecules are released?
one
State the polymer that is created when carboxylic acid and alcohol go through condensation reaction
polyester
State the polymer that is created when carboxylic acid and amine go through condensation reaction.
polyamide
What are hydrolysis and condensation controlled by?
enzymes
Explain the strength of kevlar in terms of the orientation of the two functional groups it has (1,4 positions of the benzene ring).
1 and 4 positions of the benzene ring are opposites of each other
this forms a straight line when bonding with each other
easier to bond with each other and form hydrogen bonds
Why does Kevlar have lower density than steel?
Kevlar consists of lighter elements such as Carbon, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen than steel which is made out of Iron (Fe)
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