Organic Chemistry

POLYMERS

Polymer

Poly = many

Mer = units

• Polymers are large molecules that has many units bonded together

• The individual units made up the polymer are called monomers

Natural Polymers

Amylose (in starch) DNA

Natural Polymers (Cont’d)

Protein

Man-made or Synthetic Polymers

Type 1: Addition polymers

• Made by addition reaction of monomers that have double bonds or triple bonds

Properties of Addition Polymers

• Stable as the double bond converted to single bond

• Flexible, stretchable and mouldable thanks to lots of weak, intermolecular forces that hold the long polymer chain together

Plastic bag- How it’s made??? Made from a polymer

called polyethylene

• Take 1 million years to break down/ degrade a plastic bag

Another Man-made Addition Polymer

• The super absorbent polymer is Polyacrylic acid

Super absorbent Polymer (Cont)

•H1. absorb up to 1,000 g of water per gram of polymer

Applications of Nylon• Invented by Dupont• Nylon stands for New York & London• Tear resistant• Water-proofUsed in making:• parachutes• stocking• sleeping bags• tent, sail• cooking utensils

Silicone as polymer

Silicone based baking pan

Silicone breast implant

Traditional metal baking pan

Silicone structure

POLYMER TIME! Making slime•Pour Elmer Glue to the mark in a plastic cup•Add equal volume of water to dissolve the glue•Add desire food colorant•Stir •Add prepared Borax solution DROPWISE until the slime is somewhat thicken•Don’t add too much Borax