7.

Polymers

7.1 Common polymers

7.2 Condensation polymers

7.3 Poly(alkenes)

Polymers 7
 7.1. Common polymers

Complete the diagram showing the structures, common names and class of polymer (addition or
condensation) for the polymers shown.

Name Polymer class

H H
C C
H (1 mark) (1 mark)

Poly(ethene)
(1 mark)
(1 mark)

O
C
H (1 mark) (1 mark)
N
C
O
N
H

O O
C C (CH2)6 (1 mark) (1 mark)
(CH2)4 N N
H H

Poly(vinyl chloride)
(1 mark)
(1 mark)

Polymers 7.1.
 7.2. Condensation polymers

O O
H H
C C N N Polymer A

O O
C C O O Polymer B

1. The box above shows the repeating units of 2 polymers A and B

(a) Draw the monomers required for the production of each polymer. (4 marks)
(b) State the general name given to each polymer based on the functional groups and bonding they
contain. (2 marks)
(c) What small molecule is produced during both polymerisations? (1 mark)
2. Nylon(6,6) can be formed from the polymerisation of the monomers hexane-1,6-dioylchloride and 1,6-
diaminohexane. Draw the repeating unit of Nylon (6,6). (3 marks)

Polymers 7.2.
 7.3. Poly(alkenes)

Poly(ethene) was discovered by accident. The chemical company ICI was carrying out research into new
dyes in the 1930s when two chemists Eric Fawcett and Reginald Gibson accidently synthesised this new
polymer. They were studying the reaction between ethene and benzaldehyde under a pressure of 2000atm;
they hoped to make a ketone. The reaction was left to run over the weekend and when some ethene was
lost due to leakage they added more ethene. When the reaction vessel was opened, a white waxy solid was
found and on analysis it was shown to have the empirical formula CH2. They called it polyethylene as
ethylene was the traditional name for ethene. The synthesis was repeated several times, sometimes
successfully and sometimes with explosions. Because of the risky nature of the synthesis, development was
stopped in 1933 but by 1935 engineers had constructed a reactor vessel that could withstand high pressure
and work recommenced in December 1935. Controlling the pressure allowed the chemists to control the
molar mass of the polymer and after one month the researchers had produced enough material to show that
it could be moulded and was an electrical insulator. The first poly(ethene) products appeared in shops in
1948. Today we commonly use two types of poly(ethene) as described below.

High-density poly(ethene), HDPE

Made at atmospheric pressure
Ziegler-Natta catalyst, Titanium (IV) chloride + triethylaluminium
Molecules have little branching
Density: 0.95-0.97 g.cm-3
Harder and stiffer than LDPE, less easily softened on heating

Low-density poly(ethene), LDPE

Made at high pressure (15 atm)
Branched molecules
Density: 0.91-0.94 g.cm-3
More flexible than HDPE, withstands bad weather well

1. Write an equation for the reaction the scientists were trying to achieve when they discovered
poly(ethene)
2. State the repeating unit of poly(ethene)
3. Why were explosions a hazard of the operating conditions?
4. What property of LDPE makes it suitable for food packaging?
5. With reference to the structure and bonding in LDPE and HDPE, explain why HDPE has a higher
melting point
6. Give the formulae of the component chemicals of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst.
7. Poly(alkenes) have replaced the use of natural rubber in many cases. The monomer of natural rubber
is 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene. Draw the displayed formula of this monomer.

Polymers 7.3.
 7. Answers

Answers
7.1 Common polymers

Name Polymer class

H H
C C Polystyrene Addition
H (1 mark) (1 mark)

H H
C C Poly(ethene) Addition
H H (1 mark)
(1 mark)

O
C Kevlar Condensation
H (1 mark) (1 mark)
N
C
O
N
H

O O Nylon(6,6) Condensation
C C (CH2)6 (1 mark) (1 mark)
(CH2)4 N N
H H

H H
C C Poly(vinyl chloride) Addition
Cl H (1 mark)
(1 mark)

Polymers answers.
 7. Answers

7.2 Condensation polymers

1.
(a)

(b) A = polyamides, B = polyesters (2 marks)

(c) Water/H2O (1 mark)
2.

(1 mark for the portion attributed to the dicarbonyl, 1 portion for the portion attributed to the diamine, 1 mark
for the amide bond)

7.3 Poly(alkenes)

1.
2.

3. The system operates at very high pressure (1 mark)

4. Flexibility (1 mark)
5. Greater branching (1 mark), less surface contact between molecules (1 mark), reduced van der
waals/London/instantaneous dipole forces (1 mark)
6. Al(CH2CH3)3 and TiCl4 (2 marks)
7.

Polymers answers.