Polyesters + polyamides

• What is condensation in terms of polymers?

  It is the process where a small molecule is eliminated to form a larger molecule.
• What small molecule is usually eliminated during condensation?

  H2O
• How many monomers are condensation polymers usually formed from?

  Two
• What properties do the monomers forming condensation polymers have?

  Each has two functional groups.
• What are examples of condensation polymers?

  • Polyesters
  • Polyamides
  • Polypeptides
• What is the linkage in a polyester?

  It is an ester linkage.
• What molecule is eliminated in the formation of a polyester?

  H2O
• What are the two monomers that form a polyester?

  A diol and a dicarboxylic acid.

  
• What is a generic repeating unit for a polyester?

  It consists of the ester linkage between the diol and dicarboxylic acid.
• Which monomers is Terylene made from?

  It is made from a diol and a dicarboxylic acid.
• What is Terylene used for?

  As a fibre for making clothes.
• What is the linkage in a polyamide?

  It is an amide linkage.
• Which molecule is eliminated when a polyamide is formed?

  H2O
• What are the two monomers used to form a polyamide?

  A diamine and a dicarboxylic acid.
• What are examples of polyamides?

  • Nylon
  • Kevlar
• Which monomers is Nylon-6,6 made from?

  It is made from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid.
• What is the repeating unit of Nylon-6,6?

  It consists of the amide linkage between hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid.
• If you are making Nylon in the lab, what monomers would you use and why?

  Use hexane-1,6-diacyl chloride for a faster reaction; HCl is eliminated.
• What is Kevlar used for?

  In body armour, helmets, and oven gloves.
• Which monomers make up Kevlar?

  It is made from a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid.
• What is the repeating unit of Kevlar?

  It consists of the amide linkage between the diamine and dicarboxylic acid.
• Why are poly(alkenes) not biodegradable?

  Because they have non-polar C-H and C-C bonds.
• Why is it bad to burn poly(alkenes)?

  It releases CO2, CO, soot, and other toxic chemicals.
• Where do most poly(alkenes) end up?

  In landfill sites.
• Why can condensation polymers be broken down?

  They have polar bonds.
• How are condensation polymers broken down?

  Through hydrolysis, which is the opposite of condensation.
• What is the difference between addition and condensation polymerisation?

  Condensation polymerisation eliminates a small molecule, while addition polymerisation does not.
• Explain hydrogen bonding between polyamides.

  Both C=O and N-H are polar bonds, leading to hydrogen bonding.
• Why do polyesters not show hydrogen bonding?

  All O-H bonds are removed during polymerisation.
• What are the products of acid and base hydrolysis of a polyester?

  • Diol
  • Dicarboxylic acid

  
• What are the products of acid and base hydrolysis of a polyamide?

  • Diamine
  • Dicarboxylic acid