Summary notes for AQA A-Level Chemistry Unit 3.3.12 - Polymers (A-level only) by an Imperial College London MSci Chemistry graduate. Notes divided into the following sections: Condensation Polymers, Biodegradability and Disposal of Polymers
Polymers
Polymer: a long chain of repeating units joined together. It is saturated.
• Monomer: unit which breaks its double bond. It is a small unsaturated molecule.
Condensation Polymers
Condensation polymer: a polymer that is formed when monomers join together from condensation
reactions + eliminate a small molecule such as water (or HCl).
• Condensation polymers are formed by reactions between:
- Dicarboxylic acids + diols, which forms a polyester.
- Dicarboxylic acids + diamines, which forms a polyamide.
Polyesters
Reactions between dicarboxylic acids + diols make polyesters. The carboxyl groups of dicarboxylic
acid can react w/ the hydroxyl groups of diols to form ester links. A water molecule is lost each time
an ester link is formed ∴ = condensation reaction.
There are permanent dipole-dipole attractions between the polymer chains in polyesters due to the
presence of the polar C=O bonds. ∴ there are greater forces of attraction between the polymer chains
in polyesters compared to only weak van der Waals forces between addition polymer chains.
Terylene (a polyester)
MONOMER 1: a dicarboxylic acid which is benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid.
MONOMER 2: a diol which is ethane-1,2-diol.
• Terylene is used to make plastic bottles for soft drinks + is recyclable.
Polyamides
Reactions between dicarboxylic acids + diamines make polyamides. The carboxyl groups of
dicarboxylic acid can react w/ the amino groups of diamines to from amide links. A water molecule is
lost each time an amide link is formed ∴ = condensation reaction.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller bookishresearcher. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £2.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
