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Polymers

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Lesson notes

Polymers: The Basics

  • Polymers are large molecules made from many smaller monomers joined by covalent bonds.
  • Examples: poly(ethene), PVC, nylon.
  • Monomers are the repeating units that link to form the polymer chain.

Addition Polymerisation

  • Addition polymerisation joins monomers containing a C=C double bond (alkenes).
  • The C=C bond breaks, monomers add together, forming a long chain with only single bonds.
  • Only one product is formed – the polymer itself.
  • Example: ethene → poly(ethene).
  • Polymer name: poly(monomer name), e.g., propene → poly(propene).
  • To draw a repeat unit: change C=C to C–C, add continuation bonds, and write subscript n.

Addition polymerisation of ethene and chloroethene

Addition polymerisation of ethene and chloroethene

Deducing Monomer from Polymer (Addition)

  • Identify the repeat unit in the polymer chain.
  • Change the single bond between repeat units to a double bond.
  • Remove the continuation bonds to reveal the monomer structure.

Deducing the monomer from a repeat unit

Deducing the monomer from a repeat unit

Condensation Polymerisation

  • Condensation polymerisation links two different monomers with the removal of a small molecule (usually water).
  • Monomers have two functional groups (one at each end).
  • Forms the polymer plus one water molecule per linkage.
  • Examples: nylon (polyamide) and PET (polyester).

Nylon – A Polyamide

  • Nylon is made from a dicarboxylic acid (–COOH at both ends) and a diamine (–NH₂ at both ends).
  • Reaction forms an amide linkage (–CO–NH–) and releases water.
  • Represented by boxes for carbon chains with amide links alternating.

Formation of a polyamide from a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine

Formation of a polyamide from a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine

PET – A Polyester

  • PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is made from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol (–OH at both ends).
  • Reaction forms an ester linkage (–COO–) and releases water.
  • Also known as terylene; used in plastic bottles and synthetic fibres.
  • Represented by boxes for carbon chains with ester links alternating.

Formation of PET from terephthalic acid and ethane-1,2-diol

Formation of PET from terephthalic acid and ethane-1,2-diol

Plastics & Their Disposal

  • Many polymers are non-biodegradable – not broken down by microorganisms.
  • Incineration: releases CO₂ (greenhouse gas), may produce toxic fumes (e.g., HCl from PVC) or CO if incomplete.
  • Landfills: take up valuable land; non-biodegradable plastics accumulate.
  • Ocean pollution: plastic waste harms marine life.
  • PET recycling: can be depolymerised by enzymes or chemical catalysts under mild conditions, then re-polymerised – saves resources and energy.

Proteins – Natural Polyamides

  • Proteins are condensation polymers of amino acid monomers.
  • Amino acids have both –NH₂ and –COOH groups; the amide link is called a peptide link.
  • Proteins are natural polyamides; there are 20 common amino acids with different R groups.
  • Represented by boxes for carbon chains with peptide links alternating.

Formation of a protein from amino acid monomers

Formation of a protein from amino acid monomers

Slides

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Practice questions

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  1. 1.What is a polymer?

    Easy
    • AA large molecule made from many smaller molecules called monomers
    • BA small molecule used to make larger molecules
    • CA molecule containing only carbon and hydrogen
    • DA molecule that contains a carbon-carbon double bond

  2. 2.Which type of polymerisation forms poly(ethene) from ethene?

    Easy
    • AAddition polymerisation
    • BCondensation polymerisation
    • CHydrolysis
    • DCracking

  3. 3.What is a monomer?

    Easy
    • AA small molecule that can join with others to form a polymer
    • BA large molecule made from repeating units
    • CA type of polymer
    • DA catalyst used in polymerisation

  4. 4.Which of the following is an example of a polymer?

    Easy
    • APoly(ethene)
    • BEthene
    • CCarbon dioxide
    • DWater

  5. 5.What is the key difference between addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation?

    Medium
    • ACondensation polymerisation produces a small molecule, such as water, as a by-product; addition polymerisation does not
    • BAddition polymerisation produces a small molecule as a by-product; condensation polymerisation does not
    • CAddition polymerisation requires a catalyst; condensation polymerisation does not
    • DCondensation polymerisation only occurs with alkenes; addition polymerisation occurs with any monomer

  6. 6.Which of the following monomers can undergo addition polymerisation?

    Easy
    • AEthene
    • BEthane
    • CEthanol
    • DEthanoic acid

  7. 7.What type of polymer is nylon?

    Easy
    • APolyamide
    • BPolyester
    • CPolyalkene
    • DPolypeptide

  8. 8.What is the name of the linkage formed in polyesters?

    Easy
    • AEster linkage
    • BAmide linkage
    • CPeptide linkage
    • DCovalent bond

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