Degradable Polymers (CIE A Level Chemistry)

Nylon is an example of a synthetic polyamide and contains the same links as polypeptides. Nylon is the general name for a family of polyamides. A section of a nylon polymer is shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1
 

Nylon can be used to make clothing. Suggest why nylon should be protected from spillages of strong acids and alkalis.

Nomex shown in Fig. 1.2 has a higher melting point than nylon and is used to make the flame resistant body suits worn by racing drivers. 

Suggest a reason why the melting point of Nomex is higher than that of nylon.

Fig. 1.2

Table 2.1 shows the repeat units of a number of polymers. Place a tick (✓) against the ones which are biodegradable.

Table 2.1

Draw the structures of two monomers used to form polymer B.

A section of polypeptide was hydrolysed and the amino acids in Table 3.1 were identified.

Table 3.1

Which of the amino acids T, U or V has the highest pH in an aqueous solution? Explain your answer.

Amino acid .............................

State how many different dipeptides could be formed from a reaction mixture consisting of amino acids T and U.

Polypeptides contain a high proportion of carbon and hydrogen in their structures, yet many are soluble in water. By referring to the structure of a polypeptide, explain why.