Addition polymers and polymerisation

• What type of polymers are formed using alkenes?

  Addition polymers
• What is the defining feature of an alkene?

  It has a carbon-carbon double bond
• Why are alkenes considered unsaturated?

  Because they contain a carbon-carbon double bond
• What happens to the double bond in alkenes under the right conditions?

  The double bond can break into a single bond
• How do three ethene molecules combine to form a polymer?

  By opening up their double bonds to form new bonds with each other
• How can the reaction of addition polymerization be represented more efficiently?

  • Show a single monomer on the left
  • Show a single repeating unit of the polymer on the right
  • Indicate the repeating unit contains the same group of atoms as the monomer
• What is a repeating unit in a polymer?

  It is the group of atoms that are repeated throughout the polymer
• How should the bonds of the monomer be drawn in polymerization equations?

  The bonds should be drawn facing up and down
• How should the empty bonds of the repeating unit be represented?

  They should point out to the left and right through the brackets
• What does the variable 'n' represent in polymerization equations?

  The number of repeating units in the polymer
• If 'n' is 10 in a polymerization reaction, how many ethene molecules are involved?

  10 ethene molecules
• What is the first step in writing an equation for the addition polymerization of butane?

  Redraw butane in the same format as ethene
• How should the double bond in butane be identified?

  It is located between the first two carbons
• How should the hydrogen atoms be arranged when drawing butane for polymerization?

  They should point straight up or down from the carbon atoms
• What shorthand notation is used for the group of two carbons and five hydrogens in butane?

  C$_2$H$_5$
• How should the bond between the two carbons be drawn in the polymerization of butane?

  The bond should be drawn from carbon to carbon
• What is the format for writing the reaction arrow in polymerization equations?

  Draw the reaction arrow between the monomers and the polymer
• How is the repeating unit represented in the polymerization equation?

  It is drawn without the double bond and with bonds extending through the brackets
• How do you name the polymers formed from alkenes?

  Put the word "poly" in front of the monomer's name
• What is the name of the polymer formed from butane?

  Polybutane
• What is the name of the polymer formed from chloroethene?

  Polychloroethylene
• What conditions are required for addition polymerization reactions to occur?

  High pressures and a catalyst
• Where might you see the conditions for addition polymerization written?

  On the reaction arrow
• What are the steps to draw the addition polymerization of butane?

  1. Identify the double bond in butane.
  2. Arrange the atoms as separate groups.
  3. Draw the bonds of the monomer facing up and down.
  4. Use shorthand for larger groups (e.g., C$_2$H$_5$).
  5. Add brackets and 'n' for repeating units.
  6. Draw the reaction arrow and the repeating unit.