Polymers

• Condensation polymerisation involves the reaction between monomers containing two different functional groups with the loss of a small molecule such as water
• Polyesters are formed by the reaction of a dicarboxylic acid and a diol
• What type of link joins the monomers in polyesters?

  Ester link
• Water is eliminated when an ester link forms in polyesters.
• Terylene is formed from benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-diol
• What two monomers are required to form the polyester whose repeating unit is shown in the study material?

  See structure
• What two functional groups must a single monomer contain to form a polyester?

  Alcohol and carboxylic acid
• Poly(lactic acid) is formed from lactic acid.
• Polyamides are formed by the reaction of a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine
• What type of link joins the monomers in polyamides?

  Amide link
• Water is eliminated when an amide link forms in polyamides.
• Nylon 6,6 is formed from 1,6-diaminohexane and hexane-1,6-dicarboxylic acid
• What type of intermolecular force contributes most to Kevlar's strength?

  Hydrogen bonding
• Polyamides can be formed from a single monomer that contains both an amine and a carboxylic acid functional group.
• Nylon 6 is formed from 6-aminohexanoic acid
• What type of link connects amino acid monomers in polypeptides?

  Peptide link
• Addition polymerisation involves the successive addition of a monomer to the growing polymer chain
• What type of polymer is formed from CH₂=CHCN monomers?

  Addition polymer
• Addition polymers cannot be hydrolysed because they lack polar bonds.
• What is the definition of hydrolysis in chemistry?

  Bond breaking using water
• The hydrolysis of polyesters requires a strong acid or a strong base
• Match the method of polymer disposal with its advantage and disadvantage:

  Burying ↔️ Cheap, requires land

  Combustion ↔️ Generates energy, increases CO₂

  Recycling ↔️ Saves resources, uses energy