Lesson 10: Polymerization

• Monomers

  • Can be joined together by multiple addition reactions
• Polymerization

  Linking together smaller molecules called monomers
• Polymer

  Very large molecules made by linking together smaller molecules called monomers
• Polymers

  • Can be as small as 2 monomers and as large as thousands of monomers
• Condensation polymerization

  Monomers linked together by formation of ester or amide bonds with water as a byproduct
• Monomer

  In polymerization, a molecule that can be bonded to other similar molecules to form a larger molecule
• Addition polymerization

  Monomers with double bonds are joined together by multiple addition reactions
• Examples of polymers

  • Proteins
• Monomer

  Smaller molecules that are linked together to make polymers
• Polymers

  • Can be made from monomers with double bonds that have been joined together by multiple addition reactions
• Polymers

  • Can be made from monomers linked together by formation of ester or amide bonds
• polyethene is made of ethene monomers and are most commonly found in plastic bags
• polystyrene is made of monomers of phenylethene and is most commonly found in styrofoam, CD casing, and yogurt containers
• polyvinyl chloride is composed of chloroethene monomers and is most commonly found in vinyl records, sewage pipes, and clothing
• polytetrafluoroethene (teflon) is composed of tetrafluoroethene monomers and is commonly found in non-stick coatings
• polyurethane is composed of monomers of diisocyanate and a diol and is most commonly found in paint, adhesives, and spandex
• Polymerization can occur through addition polymerization or condensation polymerization.
• Addition polymerization involves the reaction between two molecules to form one large molecule with no loss of atoms.
• Condensation polymerization involves the reaction between two molecules to form one larger molecule with the elimination of small molecules such as water.