POLYMERS

Evi Elfrida

Organic Chemistry
 Definitions
• Polymer: a long chain
molecule made up of
many small identical units.
• Monomer: the smallest
repeating unit of a
polymer (propene in
polypropylene).
.
 Polymers
• Plastic is an example of a polymer
• Polymers are macromolecules that are built
up from very large numbers of small
molecules known as monomers.
• The term polymer derives from poly-(many)
and mer (monomer). Monomer is one
building unit.

Polymer = monomer + monomer + monomer

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Polymer Recycling Codes
Common household polymers
 Polymers
• The number code indicates the polymer type
1. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Origins
a. Natural Polymers
• Natural polymers are polymers that are naturally formed
and usually come from living organism.
• Most natural polymers are hydrophilic, unable to be
molded or melted
❑ Natural rubbers are not durable, inelastic and wavy.
This is because natural rubbers react with fuel or
kerosene and they can not be exposed outdoor for a long
time

Isoprene or Polyisoprene or
2-methyl-1,3-dibutadiene Natural rubber
1. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Origins
a. Natural Polymers

POLYMER MONOMER POLYMERISAT FOUND IT

ION
Starch Glucose Condensation Oats, grains,rice

Cellulose Glucose Condensation Vegetables, wood,

cotton
Protein Amino acid Condensation Milk,meat,egg,wo
ol
Nucleic acid Nucleotide Condensation DNA and RNA
molecules
Natural rubber Isoprene Addition Rubber tree

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 1. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Origins
b. Synthetic Polymers
• Synthetic polymers are the man-made polymers are products
from linking monomers in laboratory and manufacture it.
• Most monomers which are the foodstock for making synthetic
polymers are from the nature.
• Ex : New bakelite is a synthetic polymer that resistant to heat
and can be moulded or melted
POLYMER MONOMER USES
Polyethene Ethene Plastic bags, electric cables

Polypropene Propene Ropes, plastic bottles

PVC Chloroethene Pipes, floor covering

Polyvinyl alcohol Vinyl alcohol Bath tubs

Teflon Tetrafluoroethene Frying pans or pans

 2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation
Processes

a. Addition Polymers
• Addition polymers are formed from unsaturated hydrocarbons,
such as ethene and propene without the formation of any other
product.
• The alkenes undergoes addition reaction to itself. As further
molecules are added, a long molecular chain is built up
• The monomers of addition polymers are generally chemically
inert. This is due to the very strong C-C and C-H .For this reason,
they are non-biodegradable and hard to recycle.

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2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation Processes
a. Addition Polymers
1) Polyethene
• The addition polymerization of alkene is a very rapid reaction,
with chains up to 10,000 ethene units and being formed in a
second. It is generally known as plastic.

O 2

Ethene PE (Polyethene) (Repeat unit)

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2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation Processes
a. Addition Polymers

2) Polyvinyl Chloride
• Polyvinyl Chloride is the product from addition polymerization
of chloroethene (CH2=CHCl)

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2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation Processes
a. Addition Polymers

3) Polystyrene (Styrofoam)
• Polystyrene is derived from addition of phenylethene
(C6H5-CH=CH2)

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2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation Processes
a. Addition Polymers

• Many plastics are

addition polymers
made from
hydrocarbon
sources.
• The hydrocarbon
must be
unsaturated in
order to polymerize
2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation Processes

a. Condensation Polymers

• Condensation polymers are formed when two different types of

monomer co-polymerize with the elimination of small
molecules, such as water.
• The resulting polymer contains ester or peptide linkages at
regular intervals along the polymer chain.
• Each of the monomers involved has a functional group at each
end of the molecule.

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2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation Processes
a. Condensation Polymers
1) Polyamide (Nylon)
• Polyamide was the first synthetic fibre made by condensation
polymerization. It is made from the monomers dicarboxylic acid
and diamine. We can represent these two monomers as follows:
2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation Processes
a. Condensation Polymers
2) Terylene (Polyester)
• Terylene (Polyester) is another example of a condensation
polymer. Terylene is made from monomers benzene 1,4-
dicarboxylic acid and 1,2-ethanediol

• From two examples above, we can derive the general formula

of condensation reaction is :
n monomers → n polymers + (n-1) water
2. Classification of Polymers Based On Their Formation Processes
a. Condensation Polymers
Dacron (Polyester)

• Dacron is also a condensation polymer

Ethylene Glycol (1,2ethanediol) para Terephthalic acid

Dacron is an example of a polyester

• It is also a copolymer since it is made from two

different monomers
3. Classification of Polymers Based On Type of Monomers
a. Homopolymers
• Homopolymers are polymers formed from a single type of
monomer. For examples : Protein Polyethene and PVC
• Most addition polymers are homopolymers

Vinyl chloride

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

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3. Classification of Polymers Based On Type of Monomers
b. Co-polymers or Heteropolymers
• Co-polymers or Heteropolymers are products of polymerization of
two or more different monomers.
• The formation of co-polymer happens at high pressure and high
temperature along with the presence of catalyst
• The function of the catalyst is to control the structure formation of
the polymer molecules so its properties will suit the need.
1. Block co-polymer : (-P-P-P-S-S-S-P-P-P-S-S-S-)n
2. Criss-cross polymer : (-P-S-P-S-P-S-P-S-P-S-P-S-)n
Without catalyst the formation will be in unorder as follows :
(-P-S-S-P-S-P-P-S-S-S-)n
3. Classification of Polymers Based On Thermal Resistance
a. Thermoplastic Polymers
• Thermoplastic polymers can be melted and
cannot stand at high temperature. These type
of polymers are easy to be recycled by melting
and reforming them. Examples : Polyethene,
PVC etc

b. Thermosetting Polymers
• Thermosetting polymers are heat resistant and
cannot be melted. This makes them difficult for
recycling.

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Kinds of Synthetic
Polymers
 1. Plastics
a. Polyethylene (PE)
• Most plastics are made from polyethylene.
• PE is the product of addition reaction of ethene.
• It is elastic, malleable, chemical resistant and has low density.
• PE is a thermoplastic polymer produced in layers of sheets
• PE is used for plastic bags, food wrapper and buckets
manufacturing
 Kinds of Plastics
b. Tetrafluoroethene (Teflon)
• It is widely known as material for frying pans because it is
resistant to high temperature and chemicals
• Teflon is also used for tanks coating in pipes and electric cables

b. Polystyrene
• Polystyrene is also used for plastic bottles and food wrapper

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c. Polypropylene (PP)
• This polymer has similar properties as polyethene with one
advantage, it is heat resistant.
• Examples : Plastic bottles, sacks, and electric cables

d. Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
• It is made from addition reaction of chloroethene.
• It is hard to be molded and melted.
• Examples : Plastics pipes, underground pipes, synthetic leather
2. Synthetic Rubbers
• Vulcanization of rubber with sulphur is as follow :

• This vulcanization forms sulphide bridges between the

polymers chain that will improve the polymer elasticity

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The Dangers in Plastics Consumption
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1. A polymer is made from 1-bromo-2-chloro-1-propene
a. Write the addition reaction
b. Draw the repeat unit of this polymer

2. A polymer is made by linking monomers 1,4-butandiol

and 1,3-propanedicarboxylic acid.
a. Write the condensation reaction
b. Write the polymer structure produced

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