Polymers

• What is formed when a water molecule is removed from the species of a reaction?

  Condensation polymers
• What are the three main types of condensation polymers?

  Polyamides, polyesters, polypeptides
• How are polyamides formed?

  From dicarboxylic acid and a diamine

  
• What is the amide linkage in polyamides represented as?

  -CONH-
• What is an example of a polyamide?

  Nylon-6,6

  
• What are the components used to make nylon-6,6?

  Hexamethylenediamine and hexanedioic acid

  
• What is another common polyamide?

  Kevlar
• What are the components used to make Kevlar?

  1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid and 1,4-benzenediamine
• Why do polyamides have strength?

  They are formed from long chain molecules
• How are polyesters formed?

  From dicarboxylic acids and a diol

  
• What is the ester linkage in polyesters represented as?

  -COO-
• What is a common polyester?

  Terylene (PET)
• What are polypeptides formed from?

  Multiple amino acids
• What allows a single monomer to produce a polypeptide?

  Presence of both -NH and -OH groups
• What is the peptide linkage represented as?

  -CONH-
• How can condensation polymers be broken down?

  By the addition of H2O
• Why can water break down condensation polymers?

  Water is attracted to the polar regions
• What type of bonds do condensation polymers contain?

  Polar bonds such as ester and amide links
• What can form between separate polymer chains?

  Hydrogen bonding and dipoles

  
• What are some uses of condensation polymers?

  Bulletproof vests and heat protective materials
• What is a challenge with disposing of polymers?

  They can be hard to get rid of
• Why are polyalkenes considered non-biodegradable?

  They have non-polar bonds and are inert
• How are polyalkenes typically disposed of?

  By burning them
• What harmful products can burning polyalkenes produce?

  SO2 or CO
• How can polyesters and polyamides be broken down?

  Through hydrolysis due to polarity
• Why can polyesters and polyamides be put into landfill?

  They are biodegradable and break down gradually
• What is a method to reduce waste from plastics?

  Recycling plastics
• What is a challenge of recycling plastics?

  It is difficult and time-consuming
• What must be done before plastics can be recycled?

  They must be sorted and washed