Polymers

POLYMERS
S. Wint
Polymers Page 1 of 36
Objective
define polymers
distinguish between addition

and condensation as reactions in the
formation
of polymers.
Uses of Condensation and Addition

Polymers
What are
polymers?
A polymer is a macromolecule formed by linking together
50 or more small molecules known as monomers usually in
chains.
They can be natural or synthetic.
Examples of natural polymers are protein, starch and
cellulose.
Examples of synthetic polymers are polysterene, PVC,
terylene and nylon.
Synthetic polymers are collectively called plastics.
The reaction that produces a
polymer from monomers is
known as POLYMERISATION.
Addition polymers are synthetic polymers which are
made from addition polymerisation.
Addition polymerisation occurs when monomers

containing a carbon- carbon double bond or triple bond
are linked together to form a polymer.
For this to occur, one of the bonds in
the double alkene molecule breaks.
This molecules then bond to one
another by single covalent bonds
between adjoining carbon atoms to
form a polymer.
In addition polymerisation..
1. The polymer is the only product formed- the breaking
of the double bond makes it possible for the monomers
to link together without losing any atom form between
them.
2. The monomers which make the polymer are all the
same.
3. The empirical formula of the polymer is the same as
the monomer that formed it since no atoms are lost
during its formation, therefore the ratio of the atoms in
the two are the same.
Addition polymers produced from alkenes by
addition polymerisation are known as polyalkenes.
These are saturated compounds because they only

have carbon-carbon single bonds.
The carbon-carbon single bond (-C-C-) which links each
monomer unit together is known as an alkane linkage.
The specific name of a polymer is derived from the
name of the monomer from which it is formed.
Example: Polyethene
Polyethene is formed by placing ethene in pressurised

container and heating with a catalyst.
One of the bonds in the double bond of each ethene

molecule breaks and the saturated polymer,
polyethene, is formed.
Uses of Polyalkenes
Condensation Polymers are made by
condensation polymerisation.
Condensation polymerisation involves linking

monomers together in long chains by eliminating a
small molecule from between the adjacent
monomer units.
The molecule that is often times eliminated is water
however other small molecules such as ammonia or
hydrogen chloride can also be eliminated.
The elimination of a small molecule makes it possible

for the monomers to link up in chains.
In contrast to addition polymerisation, during
condensation polymerisation:
1. The polymer is not the only product made- condensation
polymerisation always forms two products- the polymer and another
compound made of small molecules.
2. The polymer is often times made from more than one different type of
monomer.
3. The empirical formula of the polymer is different from the monomer
since atoms are lost during the formation of the polymer.
In order for monomers to form polymers, the monomer
molecules must have two functional groups.
Polyesters are synthetic condensation polymers that
are formed from the condensation reaction of a
alkanoic acid and an alcohol. The acid is known as a
diacid and the alcohol is known as a dialcohol.
When these two molecules react with each other a
water molecule is eliminated and an ester functional
group is formed. These linkages are known as ester
linkages
Polyamides all contain the amide functional group
(-CONH- or -NHCO-).
Some polyamides are synthetic while others occur

naturally.
Synthetic polyamides are made from a diacid and a
diamine. A diamine has two amino functional groups.
When these two molecules react with each other, a
water molecule is eliminated from between then and
an amide functional group forms which links them
together. These linkages are known as amide linkages.
Proteins are polyamides formed by linking amino
acids together. Amino acids are molecules which have
one amino functional group and one carboxyl
functional group.
In proteins, the amide linkage is known as a peptide
linkage.
Polysaccharides are natural polymers formed by
linking monomers known as monosaccharides
together. Example of monosaccharides include glucose,
fructose and galactose. For example starch is a
polysaccharide formed when glucose undergoes
condensation reaction.
The linkage that is formed is known as a ether linkage.

Polymers

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Polymers

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POLYMERS

distinguish between addition

Uses of Condensation and Addition

Synthetic polymers are collectively called plastics.

Addition polymerisation occurs when monomers

These are saturated compounds because they only

Polyethene is formed by placing ethene in pressurised

One of the bonds in the double bond of each ethene

Condensation polymerisation involves linking

The elimination of a small molecule makes it possible

Some polyamides are synthetic while others occur

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