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Polymers

Polymers are high molecular mass substances composed of simple structural units called monomers joined by covalent bonds. There are two main types of polymers: natural polymers found in nature and synthetic polymers created by humans. Polymers can be classified in several ways, including by their structure (linear, branched, or cross-linked), monomer type (homo- or co-polymers), synthesis method (addition or condensation polymerization), intermolecular forces (elastomers, fibers, thermoplastics, or thermosets), and growth mechanism (chain-growth or step-growth).

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
84 views12 pages

Polymers

Polymers are high molecular mass substances composed of simple structural units called monomers joined by covalent bonds. There are two main types of polymers: natural polymers found in nature and synthetic polymers created by humans. Polymers can be classified in several ways, including by their structure (linear, branched, or cross-linked), monomer type (homo- or co-polymers), synthesis method (addition or condensation polymerization), intermolecular forces (elastomers, fibers, thermoplastics, or thermosets), and growth mechanism (chain-growth or step-growth).

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Naman Sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sharma 9826259230 Polymers Page No.

Polymers
Polymers (in Greek, poly = many and meros = parts) are very high molecular mass substances, each molecule of which consists of a
very large number of simple structural units joined together through covalent bonds.
The simple molecules from which the repeating structural units are derived are called monomers and the process by which these
simple molecules, i.e. monomers are converted into polymers is called polymerization.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. 1. Define the term 'polymerisation.' [AI 08]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Classification of polymers
A. Depending upon the origin, polymers are classified into two classes.
Natural polymers: Found in nature, i.e. in animals & plants. For eg: Proteins, Cellulose, Nucleic acids, Natural rubber ….etc
Synthetic polymers: They are man-made polymers. For eg: polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), bakelite, nylon, etc.
B. Classification based upon structure
Linear polymers: Monomer units are joined together to form long straight chains. They have high melting points, high densities and
high tensile strengths due to the close packing of polymer chains. For example: nylon, polyester, high density polythene, etc.
Branched chain polymers: Monomer units are linked together to form long chains having branches along the main chain (linear
chain). They have lower densities, lower melting points and lower tensile strengths as compared to linear polymers because the chains
are not closely packed together due to the presence of branches. For example: low density polythene, glycogen, amylopectin, etc.
Three-dimensional network polymers: linear chains are joined together by cross links to form three-dimensional network. They are
also called cross-linked polymers due to the presence of cross links. They are hard, rigid and brittle because of their network
structure. For example: bakelite, melamine-formaldehyde resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, etc.
C. Classification based on the types of monomers
Homo polymers: In which one type of monomer repeatedly combines with each other to form polymer For example: Polyethylene is
obtained by polymerization of ethylene molecule, i.e. the repeating structural unit is –CH2–CH2–.
Polymerization
n(CH2 = CH2 ) → (– CH2 − CH2 −)
Ethylene monomer Polyethene
Other examples are polypropylene, polyisoprene, teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), neoprene
(polychloroprene), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), nylon-6, polybutadiene, cellulose, starch, etc.
Copolymers: In which two or more type of monomer repeatedly combines with each other to form polymer. For example: Nylon-66
is obtained by polymerization of two different monomers, i.e. hexamethylenediamine & adipic acid.

Other examples are Buna-S, polyesters, alkyd resins, bakelite, melamine-formaldehyde resin, etc.
D. Classification based upon synthesis
Addition polymers: They are formed by addition of the monomers, without the loss of simple molecules. For example: Polythene
Condensation polymers: They are formed by the combination of monomers with the loss of simple molecules such as water, alcohol,
ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, etc. For example: nylon-66 is obtained by adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine with
the loss of water molecules.

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ADDITION POLYMERS CONDENSATION POLYMERS


Formed by addition reaction. Formed by condensation polymerization
Molecular mass is whole number multiple of Molecular mass is not whole number multiple of the monomer.
monomer.
Generally involve one monomer unit. Generally involve more than one unit.
Monomers are unsaturated molecules. Monomer units must have two active functional group.
They are generally chain growth polymers.
E. Classification based upon mechanism.
Chain growth polymers: They are formed by the reactions involving the initial formation of a free radical, a carbocation or a
carbanion to which monomers get added by a chain reaction.
The chain reactions require an initiator such as peroxide, an acid or a base. For example of polymerization of ethylene

Step 2. By disproportionation of free radical

For example: Polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, polybutadiene, Teflon, etc.
Step growth polymers: Formed by reaction proceeds by stepwise intermolecular condensation. Process does not depend on free
radical or ions. In this polymerization the monomer molecules have more than one similar or dissimilar functional group. If, one of
reacting molecules has two F.G. & other has one F.G. , i.e. acetic acid and ethylene glycol, the reaction stops after two steps:

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Classification based upon molecular forces


Elastomers: They have the intermolecular forces of attraction between the chains are the weakest.
They have the ability to stretch out over ten times than their normal length and return to original position when the force is withdrawn.
They consists of randomly coiled chains having a few cross links which is straightened out when force is applied, and thus the
polymer is stretched. Since the Vander Waals’ forces of attraction between the polymer chains are very few and very weak, these
cannot remain in this stretched form and therefore, as soon as the force is withdrawn, the polymer resumes its original position.
For Example: Natural rubber, vulcanized rubber, Buna-S or SBR, Buna-N, neoprene, ebonite……….etc
Fibers: They have strongest intermolecular forces of attraction. Strong intermolecular forces of attraction are either due to H−bonding
or dipole-dipole interaction. For eg: nylons (polyamides), polyesters (terylene, dacron, etc.) & polyacrylonitrile (orlon, acrilan)
Thermoplastics: They have intermolecular forces of attraction in between those of elastomers and fibers.
They are linear polymers which are hard at room temperature, easily softened on heating, molded and then hardened on cooling.
The process of heating, softening and cooling can be repeated as many times as desired without any change in chemical composition
and mechanical properties of the plastic. As a result, these plastics can be molded into desired shapes and thus, used in making toys,
beads, buckets, telephone, and television cases.
In thermoplastic polymers, there is no cross linking between the chains and hence individual chains can slip over one another on
heating. For example: polythene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, Teflon, polyvinyl acetate, etc.
Thermosetting polymers: They are made normally from relatively low molecular mass semi-fluid polymers which when heated in
mould become infusible and form an insoluble hard mass. This is due to the extensive cross-links which are formed between polymer
chains on heating and thus, forming a three-dimensional network solid. Hence, they get set and cannot be remolded. For example:
phenol formaldehyde (bakelite), urea-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde
Order of force of attraction: Fibers > Thermoplastic ≈ Thermosetting > Elastomers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. 1. Is the following compound a homo polymer or a copolymer? Why?
(a) (–CH2–CH(C6H5)–)n [DB 08C] [AI 13] (b) (–CH2–CH(Cl)–)n [AI 13]
Q. 2. Define the following term giving an example
(a) Homo polymerization [DB 12] (b) Co polymerization [AI 2010] [DB 10]
(c) Addition polymers [AI 12] (d) Condensation polymers [AI 12, 13] (e) Elastomers [AI 12][DB 09]
Q. 3. Distinguish between the following & Give one example each.
(a) Homo polymer and co polymers [DB 08, 10C][AI 08]
(b) Addition polymers and condensation polymers. [AI 09C, 11C]
(c) Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers [AI 08, 09, 12][DB 10]
Q. 4. Classify the following into addition and condensation polymers:
(i) Polythene [AI 11C] (ii) PTFE [AI 11C] (iii) Polybutadiene [AI 11C] (iv) Bakelite [AI 11C]
Q. 5. What is step growth polymerization? Explain the steps involved in this process. [AI 08 C]
Q. 6. What primary structural feature necessary for a molecule makes it useful in a condensation polymerization reaction? [AI 09]
Q. 7. Name the sub-groups into which polymers are classified on the basis of magnitude of intermolecular forces. [DB 11]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some Important Addition polymers: 1. Polythene or Polyethylene

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(a) Low density polythene (LDP) or Low density polyethylene (LDPE).


T=350−570K & P=1000−2000atm & trace of oxygen or peroxide
n CH2=CH2 → −(−CH2−CH2−)n−
The polythene thus produced has a molecular mass of about 20,000 and has highly branched structure.
This branching occurs due to H abstraction as explained below: At the high temperature at which this polymerization occurs, the
growing free radicals not only add to the double bond of the monomer but also abstract hydrogen from a chain already formed. This
abstraction generates a new free radical center from which a chain can now grow as shown below:

These branched polythene molecules do not pack well and hence this type of polythene has a low density (0.92 g/cm3) and a low
melting point (384 K). That is why polythene prepared by free radical polymerization is called low density polythene (LDP).
Properties: Transparent, moderate tensile strength, high toughness, chemically inert, slightly flexible & poor conductor of electricity.
Uses: Packaging material (thin plastic films, bags, etc.), insulation for electrical wires and cables, squeze botles, toys & flexible pipes
(b) High density polythene (HDP) or High density polyethylene (HDPE).
Preparation:

Triethylaluminium and titanium trichloride or tetrachloride is used as (Ziegler-Natta catalyst).


The polythene thus produced practically consists of linear chains of polymer molecules. These polymer molecules pack well and
hence this type of polythene has higher density (0-97 g/cm3) and higher melting point (403K) than the polymer produced by free-
radial polymerization. That is why polythene prepared by coordination polymerization is called high density polythene.
Properties: Translucent polymer, chemically inert, has greater toughness, hardness and tensile strength than low density polythene.
Uses: Manufacture of contailers (buckets, tubs, etc.), houseware, pipes, bottles and toys.
2. Potytetrafluoroethene (PTTE) or Teflon. Ammonium persulphate is used as catalyst

Properties: Flexible and inert to solvents and to boiling acids even to aqua regia andis stable upto 598K.
Uses: For making nonstick utensils, For making gaskets, pump packings, valves, seals, non-lubricated bearings, filter cloth, etc.
3. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or Orlon

Monomer acrylonitrile is manufactured either by addition of HCN to acetylene in presence of CuCl/HC1 as catalyst or by passing a
mixture of propene, ammonia & air over catalyst consisting of mixture of oxides of molybdenum, cobalt & aluminium at 723K.

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Or
Properties: hard and high melting material
Uses: As a substitute for wool in the manufacture of Orlon and Acrilan fibres which are used for making clothes, carpets and blankets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. 1. Write the names and structures of the monomers of the following polymers:
(i) Polythene [DB 09, 13][AI 09,09C, 11] (ii) Teflon [DB 09, 10, 10C, 13] [SP 09][AI 10, 11]
Q. 2. What is the role of Benzoyl peroxide in polymerisation of ethene? [SP 09]
Q. 4. What are LDPE and HDPE? How are they prepared? [SP 09]
Q. 3. Write chemical equations to form the following: (i) Polythene [AI 09C] (ii) Teflon [DB 11C]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some Important Condensation Polymers:
1. Polyamide. They have amide linkages. They are prepared by the condensation polymerization of dibasic acids with diamines or
their equivalents. These polymers are commonly called nylons. The name NYLON (NY = New York and LON = London) is given to
these fibers since the most common nylon i.e. nylon-6, 6 was simultaneously prepared in New York and London.
(a) Nylon 6, 6:

Preparation:
It is called nylon – 6, 6 (read as nylon six, six) since both adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine contain six carbon atoms each.
(b) Nylon 6,10: (read as nylon six, ten) which is obtained by the condensation of hexamethylenediamine (containing six carbon
atoms) and sebacic acid containing ten carbon atoms.

Uses: Unlike cotton fibres, nylon fibres do not rot, have high tensile strength, are tough, abrasion resistant and somewhat elastic.
These are, therefore, used in the manufacture of cirpets, textile fibres and bristles for brushes.
Further nylon fibres are so much stronger than the natural materials that these can be made much thinner. The availability of such a
strong thin thead made possible nearly invisible women's stockings called “nylons”
Being tough nylon is used as a substitute for metals in bearings and gears.
Crinkted nylon fibres are used for making elastic hoisery.
(c) Nylon 6 or Perlon: It is called as nylon-6 (read as nylon six) since the monomer (caprolactam; contains six carbon atoms).
Preparation:

Uses: It is used for the manufacture of tyre cords, fabrics and mountaineering ropes.
2. Polyesters: They have ester linkages, they are prepared by the condensation polymerization of di acids with diols.

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Terylene or Dacron or Glyptal

Properties: highly crease-resistant, durable & has low moisture content, It is aiso not damaged by pests like moths and mildew.
Uses: Wash & wear fabric, tyre cords, seat belts & sails. Blended with cotton and wool to increase their resistance to wear and tear.
3. Phenol-formaldehyde Polymers (Bakelite and related polymers).

Properties and Uses: soft bakelites with low degree of polymerization are used as binding glue for laminated wooden planks, & in
varnishes & lacquers. High degree polymerization leads to formation of hard bakelite which is highly cross-linked & is therrnosetting
polymer. It is a scratch and water resistant polymer and hence is used for the manufacture of combs, formica table tops, fountain pen
barrels, phonograph records, computer discs, etc. It also possesses excellent electrical insutating properties and hence is widely used in
making electical goods (switches, plugs, handles of various utensils, etc). sulphonated bakelites are used as ion exanchange resins.
4 Melamine formaldehyde polymers:

Uses: Melamine-formaldehyde copolymer is widely used for making non-breakable plastic crockery, i.e., cups and plates made from
melamine polymer are hard and do not break on being dropped.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. 1. Write the names and structures of the monomers of the following polymers:
(i) Bakelite [DB 13][SP 09][AI 09C, 10] (ii) Nylon-6 [DB 08, 10C, 13][SP 09][AI 09C, 10] (iii) Nylon–6, 6 [DB 10C, 12, 13]
(iv) Polystyrene [DB 13] (v) Terylene or Dacron [DB 10C, 11, 11C, 13][AI 11][SP 11] (vi) Nylon 2 [SP 09]
Q. 2. In nylon 6, 6 what does the designation '6, 6' mean? [DB 09, 11][AI 09, 10]
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Q. 3. Mention two important uses of each of the following:


(i) Bakelite [DB 11] (ii) Nylon 6 [DB 11] (iii) Nylon–6, 6 [SP 11]
Q. 4. Write chemical equations for the synthesis of:
(i) Terylene [DB 11C] (ii) Neoprene [DB 11 C] (iii) Nylon – 6[AI 09C] (iv) Nylon – 6, 6 [AI 09C]
Q. 5. Write its full form, Give the structures of monomers from which it is formed & Show the formation of polymer:
(a) nylon-6. [SP 11] (b) Urea-formaldehyde resin [AI 10C] (c) Bakelite [AI 10C]
Q. 6. What is repeating unit in condensation polymer obtained by combining HO 2CCH2CH2CO2H (succinic acid) & H2NCH2CH2NH2
(ethylene diamine). [DB 09]
Q. 7. What is the difference between the two notations: nylon–6 and nylon 6 – 6. [AI 08 C]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some important Co polymer:
Natural Rubber: Natural polymer, it has remarkable elasticity and undergoes long range reversible extension even under relatively
small applied force. That is why it is also called an elastomer.
Manufactured from latex (obtained by making incisions in bark of rubber trees) which is colloidal solution of rubber particles in water,
Preparation:

Since each repeating unit in polyisoprene contains a double bond, it may have either a cis− or a trans−orientation'
Actually, in natural rubber, all the double bonds have cis- stereochemistry. In natural other words, rubber is cis- polyisoprene. In
contrast, synthetic rubber (gutta−percha) obtained by free radical polymerization of isoprene has all trans-configuration.

Prpoerties:
There are no polar groups/substituents and hence intermolecular forces of attaction are only weak van dar waals interactions.
These forces are further weakened because of the cis-configuration of all the double bonds which does not allow the polymer chains to
come close enough for effective interactions. Thus, cis-polyisoprene daes not have a stirgnt chain but has a coiled structure. As a
result it can be streched like a spring on stretching, the molecules become partiatly aligned w.r.t. eaeh other and on withdrawing the
force the chains come back to their original coiled state. Thus, natural rubber is elastic. Further due to coiled structure, natural rubber
does not fit closely in the crystal lattice and hence is considered to be non-crystalline.
In contrast, due to trans orientation of double bonds, gutta percha (Synthetic Rubber) has highly regular zig-zag chains which cannot
be stretched much. Therefore, gutta percha is considered to be non elastic. In contrast, due to highly regular zig-zag structure, gutta
percha fits closely in the crystal lattice and hence is considered to cryrtalline.
Disadvantages of Natural rubber: It is soft and sticky and becomes even more at high temperatures and brittle at low temperatures.
Therefore, rubber is generally used in the temperature range 283-335 K where its elasticity is maintained. It has a large water
absorption capacity, has low tensile-strength and low resistance to abrasion. It is also not-resistant to the action of organic solvents and
is also easily attacked by oxidising agents.

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Vulcanized Rubber
Vulcanization: (Charles Goodyear in 1839): It consists of heating raw rubber with sulphur at 373−415K. Since this process is slow,
therefore, additives like zinc oxide, etc. are used to accelerate the rate of vulcanization.
Properties: excellent elasticity, low water absorption tendency and is resistant to organic solvents and oxidising agents.
During vulcanization sulphur bridges or cross-links between polymer chains are introduced either at their reactive allylic positions or
at the sites of the double bonds. These cross links make rubber hard and stronger and remove the tackiness of natural rubber since the
individual chains can no longer slip over the other but are instead locked together in a giant size molecule.
The extent of hardness depends upon the amount of sulphur added. Thus, about 5% sulphur is used for making tyre rubber, 20−25% S
for making ebonite and30% S for making battery case rubber.
Synthetic Rubbers
Definition: Any vulcanisable rubber like polymer which is capable of getting stretched to twice its length.
Synthetic rubbers are either homo polymers of 1, 3-butadiene or its derivatives or are copolymers of 1, 3-butadiene or its derivatives
with another unsaturated monomer.
Some important synthetic rubbers:
1. Neoprene. It is a polymer of chloroprene (2−chloro−l ,3−butadiene) and is also called polychloroprene

Uses: Neoprene is inferior to natural rubber in some properties but superior in its stability to aerial oxidation and in its resistance to
vegetable or mineral oils. It is, therefore, used in the manufacture of hoses, gaskets, shoe heels, stoppers, etc. It is also used as an
insulator and for making conveyor belts and printing rollers.
2. Buna−S: Copolymerization of a mixture of 1,3−butadiene and styrene in the ratio 3:1 in presence of sodium gives
styrene−butadiene copolymer commonly called as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or Buna-S. In Buna−S, Bu stands for butadiene,
na for sodium which is the polymerising agent and S stands for styrene.

Properties & Uses: It is very tough and is a good substitute for natural rubber. It possesses high abrasion resistance, high load bearing
capacity and is used for the manufacture of automobile tyres. It is also used for making floor tiles, footwear components, cable
insulation, etc.
3. Buna-N or Nitrile rubber.

The letter 'N' in Buna-N stands for acrylonitrile.


Uses: It is resistant to the action of petrol, lubricating oils and organic solvents. It is, therefore, used for making oi1 seals, hoses and
tank linings, etc.
4. Thiokol:

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Na2S4 (sodium tetrasulphide)


Properties and uses: It is also called polysulphide rubber. It has slightly less tensile strength than natural rubber but is exceptionally
resistant to the action of mineral oils, solvents, oxygen and ozone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. 1. Write names & structure of monomer/s of the following polymers and classify them as addition or condensation polymers. [SP
09]
(i) Natural Rubber [SP 09,11][DB 10, 10C] (ii) Buna–S [DB 10, 11C, 13][AI 11][DB 08] (iii) Neoprene [DB 08, 13][AI 11]
Q. 2. Give an example of a synthetic rubber and mention its main advantage. [SP 11]
Q. 3. Write the reaction of preparation of neoprene. [SP 13] [DB 11C]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biodegradable Polymers:
All these biopolymers disintegrate by themselves in biological systems during a certain period of time by enzymatic hydrolysis and to
some extent by oxidation and hence are biodegradable. As a result, they do not cause any pollution.
While synthetic polymers do not disintegrate by themselves (i.e. are non-biodegradable) over a period of time.
Some of the important examples are:
1. Poly−β−ydroxybutyrate−co−β−hydroxyvalerate (PHBV). It is a thermoplastic copolymer

Properties & uses: It vary according to the ratio of both the acids (monomers) whereas 3−hydroxybutanoic acid provides stiffness,
3−hydroxypeltanoic acid imparts flexibility to the copolymer. It is used in speciality packaging, orthopaedic devices and in controlled
drug release. When drug is enclosed in a capsule of PHBV, it is released only when the polymer is degraded in the body. PHBV also
undergoes bacterial degradation in the environment.
2. Poly(glycollic acid) Poly (lactic acid) or dextron:

Properties & Uses: As sutures, i.e., for Stitching of wounds after operation. This polymer gets degraded within the body in about a
week's time. During this degradation, the polymer undergoes hydrolysis to form small non-toxic molecules which are excreted without
causing any harm to the body.
3. Nylon−2−Nylon−6: It is an alternating polyamide of glycine (containing two carbon atoms) and ϵ − aminocaproic acid or 6−
aminohexanoic acid. (containing six carbon atoms)

It is a biodegradable step-growth copolymer.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Q. 1. What are biodegradable polymers? Give an example of such a polymer and mention its uses. [DB 09C, 11][AI 10][SP 11]
Q. 2. Write reaction involved in the preparation of biodegradable polyester [SP 11]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CONDENSATION or STEP GROWTH POLYMERS
POLYMER MONOMER USES
1. Polyesters (Terylene) Dacron Terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol Ropes, safety belts, tyre-cord
2. Glyptal (Alkyl Resin) Phthalic acid and ethylene glycol Binding material, paints and lacquers
3. Nylon-6 Caprolactum (cyclic amide) Fiber, plastic, tyre-cords and ropes
4. Nylon-66 Adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine Stockings, shirts, ropes
5. Bakelite Phenol and formaldehyde Electric switches and switch boards
6. Melamine formaldehyde resin Melamine and HCHO Crockery
7. Urea formaldehyde resin Urea and HCHO Crockery and laminated sheets.
Important synthetic polymers along with their starting materials
NAME OF ABBREVI STARTING NATURE OF PROPERTIES APPLICATIONS
POLYMER ATION MATERIALS POLYMERS
(1) ADDTION POLYMERS
(I) POLYOLEFINES
(a) HDPE CH2=CH2 High density Transparent, Packing material carry bags
Polyethylene (High homopolymer, moderate tensile insulation for electrical wires
Or density linear, chain Strength high and cables, buckets, tubs
Polyethene polyethene) growth. toughness house ware, pipes, bottles and
LDPE CH2=CH2 Low density Transluscent toys.
(Low homopolymers chemically inert
density (branched) chain greater tensile
polytehene) growth. strength toughness.
(b) PP CH3CH=CH2 Homopolymer, Harder and Packing of textiles and foods,
Polypropylene Linear, chain stronger than liners for bags, heat shrinkage
Or growth. polyethene. wraps carpet fibers ropes,
Polypropene automobile mouldings,
stronger pipes and bottles.
(c) Polystyrene C6H5CH=CH2 Homopolymer, Transparent Plastic toys, house hold wares,
Or linear, chain radio and television bodies
Styron growth refrigerator linings
(II) POLYDIENES
(a) Neoprene Cl Homopolymer, Rubber like, Hoses, shoe heels stoppers.
|
CH 2 − CH − C = CH 2 chain growth. inferior to natural
Chloropren e or
2- Chloro -1, 3 - butadiene rubber & superior
resistant to aerial
oxidation and oils
gasoline etc.

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(b) Buna-S SBR CH 3 = CH − CH = CH 2 Copolymer chain Rubber like. Manufacture of tyres rubber
1 and 3 − butadiene and
(Styrene, growth. Inferior to natural sols water proof shoes.
and
Butadiene rubber & superior
C6 H 5 CH = CH 2
Rubbber) (sty rene)in the presence of Na resistation to aerial
oxidation and oils
gasoline etc.
(III) POLYACRYLATES
(a) PMMA CH 3 Copolymer Hard transparent, Lenses light covers lights,
|
Polymethacryl CH 2 = C − COOCH 3 excellent light shades Signboards transparent
ate (flexiglas, transmission, domes skylight aircraft
lucite, acrylite optical clarity window, dentures and plastic
and perspex better than glass Jewellery.
takes up colours.
(b)Polyethylacr CH2=CH–COOC2H5 Copolymer Tough. rubber like Orlon, acrilon used for making
ylate product clothes, carpets blankets and
(c) PAN CH2=CH–CN Copolymer Hard, horney and preparation of other polymers.
Polyacrylonitri high melting
le materials
(IV)POLYHALO OLEFINES
(a) Polyvinyl PVC CH2=CH–Cl Homopolymer Thermoplastic used in rain coats hand bags,
chloride chains growth. shower curtains, fabrics, shoe
soles, vinyl flooring (ii) Good
electrical insulator (iii) Hose
pipes
(b) PTFE F2C=CF2 Homoplymer, Flexible & inert to (i) For nonstick utensils
Polytetrafluoro high melting solvents, even aqua coating (ii) Making gaskets.
et-hylene point regia. Stable upto Pump packings valves, seals,
or Teflon 598 K. non lubricated bearings.
(d) PCTFE ClFC=CF2 Homopolymer Less resistant to Similar to those of teflon.
Polymonochlor heat and chemicals
otri- due to presence of
fluorethylene chlorine atoms
(2) CONDENSATION POLYMERS
(I) POLYSTERS
(a) Terylene or PET HO – CH2–CH2–OH Copolymer, Step Fibre crease For wash and wear fabrics,
Dacron Polyethyle (Ethylene glycol) growth linear resistant, low tyre cords seat belts and sails.
ne And moisture
terephthalat HOOC–C6H5–COOH absorption, not
e (Terephthalic acid) damaged by pests
like moths etc.

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(b) Glyptal or HO – CH2–CH2–OH Copolymer, Thermoplastic, Paints and lacqures.


alkyd resin (Ethylene glycol) linear step dissolves in
And growth suitable solvents
and solutions on
evaporation leaves
a tough but not
fexiable film
(II) POLYAMIDES
(a) Nylon 66 O O Copolymer, Thermoplastic high Textile febrics, bristles for
|| ||
HO − C [CH 2 ]4 C − OH
Adipic acid and
linear, step tensile strength, brushes etc.
growth abrasion resistant.
and
H 2 N − [CH 2 ]6 − NH 2
Hexamethy llenediamine

(b) Nylon 610 H 2 N − [CH 2 ]6 − NH 2 Copolymer, Thermoplastic, (i) Textile fabrics, carpets,
Hexamethy lene diamine
linear, step high tensile bristles for brushes etc.
and
growth strength, abrasion (ii) Substitute of metals in
HOOC[CH 2 ]8 COOH
Sebacic acid resistant. bearings
(iii) Gears elastic hosiery.
(c) Nylon 6 or Caprolactu m or Homopolymer, Thermoplastic high Mountainering ropes, tyre
H 2 N = [CH 2 ]5 − COOH
Perlon − Am inocaproic acid linear tensile strength, cords, fabrics.
abrasion resistant.
(3) FORMALADEHYDE RESINS
(a)Phenol Phenol and Copolymer, step Thermosetting (i) With low degree
formaldehyde formaldehyde. growth polymer, hard and polymerisation –as bindings
resin or brittle glue for wood, varnishes,
Bakelite lacquers. (ii) With high degree
polymerisation-for combs, for
mica table tops, fountain pen
barrels electrical goods
(switches and plugs).
(b) Melamine Melamine and Copolymer, step Thermosetting Non-breakable crockery.
formalde hyde formaldehyde. growth polymer, hard but
resin. not so breakable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. 1. Write names of monomers & structures of the following polymers:
(i) Glyptal [DB 11C] (ii) Polypropene [DB 12] (iii) PVC [AI 10C, 10, 11][DB 10C]
Q. 2.Differentiate the following pair of polymers based on the property mentioned against each. [SP 09]
(i) Novolac and Bakelite (structure) [SP 09] (ii) Buna-s and Terylene (intermolecular forces of attraction) [SP 09]
Q.2. Write the names of the monomers of polymer used for making unbreakable crockery. [SP 13]
Q. 3. Arrange the following polymers in decreasing order of intermolecular forces.
(i) PVC, Nylon 66, Natural rubber. [SP 13] (ii) Nylon 6, Buna-S, Polythene [SP 11]
Sharma 9826259230

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