Polymers

Polymers 1. Polymers are large molecules made up of many smaller and identical repeating units joined together by covalent bonds. These molecules are called monomers. 2. Polymerisation is the chemical process by which the monomers are joined together to form the big molecule known as the polymer AAAAAAA monome Or nA rs

-A-A-A-A-A-A( - A -)n where A = monomer n = a big number

3.

A polymer is a macromolecule that are a different property than its monomers. 4. Polymers are divided into 2 types: a) Naturally occurring polymers -exist in living things (plants and animals) b) Synthetic polymer - man-made polymers by chemical processes Naturally occurring polymers 1.Examples are a) protein: - in muscles, skin, silk, hair, wool and fur -protein is formed by polymerisation of monomers known as amino acids b) carbohydrates : -in starch and cellulose -consists of monomers known as glucose joined chemically through polymerisation c) natural rubber : -in latex -monomers such as isoprene (2-methylbuta- 1,3-diene) are joined together chemically to form natural rubber Synthetic Polymers 1.Synthetic polymers are made in the industry from chemical substances 2.Raw materials for synthetic polymers are obtained from petroleum 3.Types of synthetic polymers: a) plastics b) fibres c) elastomers Synthetic polymer Polyethylene (PE) IUPAC name: polythene

Monomer Ethene, C2H6

Uses Plastic bags, shopping bags, plastic containers, plastic

toys, plastic cups and plates Polypropylene (PP) IUPAC name : polypropene

Propene, C3H6

Plastic bottles, bottles crates, plastic tables and chairs, car battery cases and ropes

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) IUPAC name: polychloroethene

Chloroethene, C2H3Cl

Water pipes, shoes, bags, rain clothes, artificial leather and wire casing

Polystyrene (PS) IUPAC name : polyphenylethene

Phenylethene, C6H5CH = CH2

Packaging materials, heat insulators, toys, disposable cups and plates

Perspex (PP) IUPAC name : poly (methyl - 2 - methylpropenoate)

Methyl-2-methyl propenoate (methylmetacrylate ) CH2 = C(CH3)CO2CH3

Safety glass, airplane windows, car lamps, traffic signs, lens, reflectors and toys

Teflon (PTFE) IUPAC name: polytetrafluoroethene

Tetrafluoroethene, C2F4

Coatings for non-stick frying pans and electrical insulators

Terylene

Hexane- 1, 6-diol and benzene- 1, 4dicarboxylic acid

Clothing (does not easily crease), sleeping bags, sails, ropes and fishing nets

Nylon

Hexane- 1, 6 -diamine and hexane- 1, 6- dioic acid

Ropes, fishing lines, stocking, clothing, carpets and parachutes