What are Addition Polymers? (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (Modular))
Revision Note
Monomers
Polymers are large molecules of high relative molecular mass and are made by linking together large numbers of smaller molecules called monomers
This process is called addition polymerisation
Each monomer is a repeat unit and is connected to the adjacent units via covalent bonds
Polymerisation reactions usually require high pressures and the use of a catalyst
Many everyday materials such as resins, plastics, polystyrene cups, nylon etc. are polymers
These are manufactured and are called synthetic polymers
Nature also produces polymers which are called natural or biological polymers
Forming polymers from monomers
Diagram showing how lots of monomers bond together to form a polymer
Drawing polymers
Addition polymers are formed by the joining up of many monomers and only occurs in monomers that contain C=C bonds
One of the bonds in each C=C bond breaks and forms a bond with the adjacent monomer with the polymer being formed containing single bonds only
Many polymers can be made by the addition of alkene monomers
Others are made from alkene monomers with different atoms attached to the monomer such as chlorine or a hydroxyl group
The name of the polymer is deduced by putting the name of the monomer in brackets and adding poly- as the prefix
For example if propene is the alkene monomer used, then the name is polypropene
Polyethene is formed by the addition polymerisation of ethene monomers
Drawing polymers from the monomer
Examiner Tip
Poly(ethene), poly(propene), poly(chloroethene) and (poly)tetrafluoroethene are the four polymers named in the specification so make sure you can draw the monomer and repeating unit for each one.
Deducing monomers and repeat units
Deducing the monomer from the polymer
Polymer molecules are very large compared with most other molecule
Repeat units are used when displaying the formula
To draw a repeat unit, change the double bond in the monomer to a single bond in the repeat unit
Add a bond to each end of the repeat unit
The bonds on either side of the polymer must extend outside the brackets (these are called extension or continuation bonds)
A small subscript n is written on the bottom right hand side to indicate a large number of repeat units
Add on the rest of the groups in the same order that they surrounded the double bond in the monomer
The monomer & repeat unit
Diagram showing the concept of drawing a repeat unit of a monomer
Deducing the polymer from the monomer
Identify the repeating unit in the polymer
Change the single bond in the repeat unit to a double bond in the monomer
Remove the bond from each end of the repeat unit and the subscript n (which can be placed in front of the monomer)
The repeat unit & monomer
Diagram showing the monomer of the repeat unit of polymer
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