Polymers

• What is the process of condensation polymerisation?

  It produces polymers by repeated condensation reactions
• How are natural condensation polymers formed?

  By elimination of water during polymerisation
• What types of bonds link monomers in condensation polymers?

  Ester or amide bonds
• What monomers can form condensation polymers?

  Dicarboxylic acids and diols
• What is polyester formed from?

  Dicarboxylic acid and diol monomers
• What type of link is formed in polyester?

  Ester bonds

  
• What is the structure of polyamides?

  Repeating units bonded by amide links
• What is the formula of an amide group?

  -CONH
• What is a key functional group in polyamides?

  Amide link or peptide link

  
• What monomers are required to form a polyamide?

  A diamine and a dicarboxylic acid

  
• What does a diamine contain?

  Two -NH groups
• What does a dicarboxylic acid contain?

  Two -COOH groups
• What is an acid chloride?

  A carboxylic acid with -OH replaced by chlorine
• What is a dioyl dichloride?

  A compound with two -COCl groups
• What is the advantage of using dioyl dichlorides?

  They are more reactive than dicarboxylic acids
• What are proteins made of?

  Polymers of amino acid monomers
• What structure do amino acids have?

  Aminocarboxylic acid structure

  
• What governs the properties of amino acids?

  The branching side group, the R group

  
• What do amino acids contain?

  An amine group, an acid group, and R group
• How are different amino acids identified?

  By their unique R group

  
• How are amino acids named?

  Using three-letter abbreviations
• What are dipeptides?

  Polymers formed by two amino acids
• How are dipeptides formed?

  By polymerising two amino acids together

  
• What are polypeptides?

  Polymers formed by more than two amino acids
• What are the uses of polyesters like Terylene?

  Used in fabrics and fizzy drink bottles
• What is Terylene also known as?

  Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

  
• What is nylon?

  An artificial polyamide used in various products
• What are the monomers of Nylon-6,6?

  Diamine and dicarboxylic acid

  
• Why is Nylon-6,6 a cheap substitute for silk?

  It is less expensive to produce
• What are aramid polymers?

  Polymers with benzene rings linked via amide bonds
• What are the properties of Kevlar®?

  Strong, flexible, and fire-resistant
• What are the monomers used to make Kevlar®?

  1,4-benzenediamine and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid

  
• How does the drawing process affect condensation polymers?

  It increases strength by aligning molecules
• What is the difference in melting points between Kevlar® and Nomex®?

  Kevlar® has a higher melting point
• What is the biodegradability of polyesters and polyamides?

  They can be broken down by hydrolysis reactions
• What happens to polyesters and polyamides in landfill?

  They can be broken down easily
• How can simple esters and amides be hydrolysed?

  By reaction with aqueous acids or bases
• What is the effect of acid catalysts on hydrolysis?

  They help hydrolyse amide and ester links
• Why are polyalkenes non-biodegradable?

  Due to C-C bonds in addition polymers
• What are the three main disposal methods for polymers?

  Landfill, incineration, and recycling