PLASTICS

Unit 5.8
Notes made using the textbook, reference books, online resources and teacher
notes.
 Alkanes Types
Alkenes Uses
Alkynes Effects

Hydrocarbons Polymerisation Plastics

Addition Polymerisation
Condensation Polymerisation
Hydrocarbons
◦ Hydrocarbons take us to the section of organic chemistry.
◦ Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-
containing compounds, which include not only hydrocarbons but also compounds with any number of other
elements, including hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen or other metals/non-metals. (www.acs.org)
◦ Hydrocarbons: the name refers to those compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen
◦ Since both the elements in this are non-metals, the bonding is covalent, where electrons are shared and not
transferred.
◦ We will be looking at the 3 basic hydrocarbons, although there are many more.
Alkanes
◦ The simplest of the hydrocarbons. The carbon chain in the hydrocarbon in alkanes share only one pair of electrons between them
hence the carbon-carbon bond is a single bond. This is depicted by

Image from: Globalhokudai.com

All alkanes have certain properties in common and are among the saturated hydrocarbons.
The term saturated here means that they do not react.
This is owing to the fact that their single carbon chain does not allow that. Alkanes can only undergo combustion.
Thus they are most used as fuels and solvents.
Alkenes
◦ The second amongst the hydrocarbons is alkenes. The carbon chain in the hydrocarbon in alkenes share two pairs of
electrons between them hence the carbon-carbon bond is a double bond. This is depicted by

Image from: thought.co

All alkenes have certain properties in common and are among the unsaturated hydrocarbons.
The term unsaturated here means that they do react.
This is owing to the fact that their carbon-carbon double bond breaks to allow reactions to occur. Alkenes can undergo combustion,
polymerization and other types of reaction.
Thus they are mostly used for making polymers.
Alkynes
◦ The third group among the hydrocarbons is that of alkynes. The carbon chain in the hydrocarbon in alkynes share three pairs
of electrons between then hence the carbon-carbon bond is a triple bond. This is depicted by

Image from: quora.com

All alkynes have certain properties in common and are among the unsaturated hydrocarbons.
They react faster than the alkenes.
This is owing to the fact that their triple bonds allow faster reactions to occur.
Thus they are used for polymers.
Test to show whether the hydrocarbon is
saturated or unsaturated.
◦ Testing with Bromine water
◦ Saturated hydrocarbons do not change colour as there is no reaction.
◦ Unsaturated hydrocarbons change to colourless from brown/red brown since there is a reaction.
The 3 types of bonds surfguppy.com
socratic.org
Nomenclature of hydrocarbons study.com
Nomenclature chemistrysteps.com
Alkenes, Alkynes
◦ Done on board.
 Polymerisation
◦ Monomers: A monomer is a molecule that forms the basic unit for polymers, which are the building blocks of plastics.
Monomers bind to other monomers to form repeating chain molecules through a process known as
polymerization. Monomers may be either natural or synthetic in origin.
◦ Polymers: A polymer is a chemical compound with molecules bonded together in long, repeating chains. Because of
their structure, polymers have unique properties that can be tailored for different uses. Polymers are both man-made
and naturally occurring.
◦ Addition polymerisation: In addition polymerization, monomers react to form a polymer without the formation of by-
products. Addition polymerizations usually are carried out in the presence of catalysts, which in certain cases exert
control over structural details that have important effects on the properties of the polymer.

◦ Thought.co; Wikipedia, britannica

Polythene
◦ A polymer is a substance of high relative formula mass, made up of small repeating units.
◦ Poly(ethene)
◦ Poly(ethene) is a polymer made from a very large number of ethene molecules combined together.
(bbc.co.uk/bitesize)
◦ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk6h4oaArE0
◦ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z3v4xfr/revision/6
Polystyrene
◦ Polystyrene is a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products. As a hard, solid plastic, it is often used in
products that require clarity, such as food packaging and laboratory ware. When combined with various colorants, additives or
other plastics, polystyrene is used to make appliances, electronics, automobile parts, toys, gardening pots and equipment and
more.
◦ Polystyrene also is made into a foam material, called expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS), which is
valued for its insulating and cushioning properties. Foam polystyrene can be more than 95 percent air and is widely used to
make home and appliance insulation, lightweight protective packaging, surfboards, foodservice and food packaging,
automobile parts, roadway and roadbank stabilization systems and more.
◦ Polystyrene is made by stringing together, or polymerizing, styrene, a building-block chemical used in the manufacture of
many products. Styrene also occurs naturally in foods such as strawberries, cinnamon, coffee and beef.
(chemicalsafetyfacts.org)
Other polymers and their uses
Read the textbook!
Plastics: Good or Evil?
◦ There are two sides to every coin, the presence of plastic may have made certain things easier and more flexible, but the
irresponsible usage has led to enormous problems.
◦ Advantages:
Durable, light, portable, easily moulded into shape

◦ Disadvantages: non-biodegradable, polluting burning causes pollution