Competency 5.

3: Polymerization and Uses of Alkenes

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

a. explain polymerization;
b. identify the monomer and polymer of alkene; and
c. discuss the uses of polymers of alkene.

Polymerization of Alkenes

Polymerization, any process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers,

combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called
a polymer.

SQA #1: Differentiate monomer from polymer.

Alkenes can undergo addition reactions with themselves to form a long chain polymer
molecule. This reaction is addition polymerization.

Monomer Polymer

The polymer can be represented by showing the repeating unit with square brackets
around it. The n stands for a unspecified number of monomer units.

Polymerization of Ethene/ethylene to Polyethylene

SQA #2: What is the common term of polythene?

LDPE and HDPE

The reaction conditions under which ethene polymerizes affect the structure and
properties of the poly(e)thene.

 Low-density polythene (LDPE) is formed under a high pressure (1400atm) and

a temperature of about 170 °C.

 High-density polythene (HDPE) is formed with a catalyst, a pressure of 2atm

and a temperature of about 70°C.

Little branching occurs under these conditions, resulting in chains that can pack tightly
together to create a denser material.

Watch the video on the given link to better understand the concept of polymerization of
ethane or ethylene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V1GYCqkJg0

SQA #3: What is the raw material used in the process?

SQA #4: What are the 3 steps in the polymerization process?

SQA #5: What is the role of organic peroxide in the process?

 Illustration of the polymerization of ethylene to Polyethylene

Polymerization of propylene to Polypropylene

Propene undergoes addition polymerization to form polyproprene:

Polypropylene is a tough, rigid and crystalline thermoplastic produced from propene (or
propylene) monomer. It is a linear hydrocarbon resin. The chemical formula of
polypropylene is (C3H6)n. PP is among the cheapest plastics available today.

Polymerization of Chloroethene to Polychloroethene

Chloroethene undergoes addition polymerization to form polychloroethene:

Poly Vinyl Chloride or PVC is the product of chloroethene polimirazation

SQA #6: Identify the alkene used to make the polymer. Name the alkene.

More about LDPE

LDPE is a soft, flexible and stretchy plastic, with a melting point of about 120°C. It is
used to make:

 plastic bags
 squeezable bottles, and general purpose
containers and trays
 other items that need to be soft and flexible,
such as tubing.
 LDPE has the recycling symbol ‘4’.

More about HDPE

HDPE is a tough and flexible plastic, with a melting point of about

130°C. It is used to make:

 containers such as milk and detergent bottles

 rigid items such as folding tables, chairs and pipes.
 HDPE has the recycling symbol ‘2’.

More about polypropene

Polypropene is a tough and flexible plastic, with a melting point of about 160°C. It is
used to make:

 ropes, carpets, rugs and other textiles

 medical, laboratory and kitchen items that need to
withstand temperatures in autoclaves and dishwashers
 certain bottles, buckets, containers and other items such
as bottle tops and moulded fittings.
 Polypropene has the recycling symbol ‘5’.

SQA #6: What are the other plastic number recycling codes not mentioned
above? Give the meaning of each symbol.
Summary
Learning Activities:

Direction: Answer the following questions:

1. Name three common natural products and three synthetic products made of
polymers.

2. Explain the structural molecular differences between the following three types of
polyethylene: HDPE and LDPE.
 3. Why are some polymers recyclable and some are not. How can a consumer tell
the difference?

Part 2: For each of the following, draw three linked monomer units of the polymer’s
structure.

Enrichment:

Make a video clip presenting 10 plastic container and discuss the recycling codes that
you can find at the bottom of the container. Discuss the meaning of the codes. (Tip: The
codes are numbers from 1 to 7). Present your output on the GC. Wait for your teacher’s
instructions about the uploading.