Macromolecules
Describe macromolecules in terms of large
molecules built up from small units (monomers),
different macromolecules having different units.
Macromolecules are very large molecules made up of
repeating smaller units called monomers. In short, many
monomers linked together makes a macromolecule. These
are also called polymers.
Different macromolecules are made up of
different types of monomers. Ethene is one such
monomer used to make a wide variety of
macromolecules like ethanol and plastics.
State some uses of polyethene as a typical plastic,
eg., plastic bags;clingfilm
Polyethylene, as a typical plastic, is widely
used in various applications due to its
versatility and cost-effectiveness. Some
common uses of polyethylene include:
1. Plastic bags for shopping and packaging.
2. Cling film for wrapping food items
Deduce the structure from a given monomer to the
addition polymer product
Deduce the structure from a given monomer to the
addition polymer product
Deduce the structure from a given monomer to the
addition polymer product
Deduce the structure from a given monomer
to the addition polymer product
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
Deduce the structure from a given monomer to the
addition polymer product
Deduce the structure of the addition polymer product
from a given monomer
Consider the given polymer..
Deduce the structure of the addition polymer product
from a given monomer
Deduce the structure of the addition polymer product
from a given monomer
Extended bond
Describe the formation of poly(ethene) as an example
of addition polymerisation of monomer units.
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)
Describe the formation of poly(ethene) as an
example of addition polymerisation of monomer
units.
The process by which monomers join together to form polymers
(macromolecules) is called polymerisation.
Polymers are often formed through addition reactions. Where there
is only one polymer formed in a reaction, it is called addition
polymerisation. The formation of poly(ethene) is an example
The product formed when ethene monomers join together in a
long chain is called poly(ethene).
When the ethene molecules react, the double bonds between the
two carbon molecules break.
Note that carbon molecules have a valency of four – so now that
the double bonds are broken, carbon needs to form a fourth bond
to become stable, so they react with the carbon in other ethene
monomers. When thousands of these ethene molecules join,
poly(ethene) is formed.
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
Acyrlnitrile. -Monomer
Polyacrylnitrile - Polymer
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
Chloroethene - monomer
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
Chloroethene -Monomer
Polychloroethene - Polymer
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
Chloroethene - Styrene
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
Styrene. -Monomer
PolyStyrene - Polymer
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
Tetrefluoroethylene. - monomer
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
Tetrafluoroethylene -Monomer
polytetrafluoroethylene - Polymer
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
methylacrylate -Monomer
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
methylacrylate -Monomer
Polymethylacrylate - Polymer
Addition polymer
Addition monomer Part of structure
Repeated unit
Formula
Propene -Monomer
Polypropene- polymer
Condensation Polymerisation
In condensation polymerisation, the monomers
react together to form a polymer and another small
molecule such as water or hydrogen chloride.
Condensation polymerisation usually involves two
different monomers, each with a different
functional group (-OH, -COOH), or one monomer
which has both the different functional groups.
Describe the formation of nylon (a
polyamide) and Terylene (a polyester) by
condensation polymerization
Describe the pollution problems caused by non-
biodegradable plastics
Unable to biodegrade, because the polymers
that form these plastics are inert / unable to
react
therefore, microorganisms and bacteria are
unable to break them down o
Thus, the landfills are bad for the environment
as the plastics will remain in the ground,
unable to break down/decompose
They produce toxic gases when they are
burned with oxygen and, Carbon dioxide is
also released – which adds to global warming
Describe depolymerisation as a process in which polymers
are broken down into their monomers, exemplified by
hydrolysis of polyesters using acid as a catalyst.
Depolymerisation is a process which involves breaking down the plastic
polymer into its monomer units. The monomers can then be purified and
used to create new plastics.
An example is the hydrolysis of polyesters using acid as a catalyst.
In the hydrolysis process, the ester linkages that hold the polymer chains
together are broken. The polyesters will be broken down to form a large
number of dicarboxylic acid monomers and diol monomers.
Conditions for hydrolysis of polyesters:
– An acid catalyst, usually sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid
– Water as a reactant
– High temperature of between 80 deg C to 150 deg C
Discuss the social, economic and environmental
issues of recycling plastics
Recycling plastic
Plastic flakes
