By: Jennifer Sanford & Alex Snow

PolymersAddition and Condensation

What is a Polymer?• Polymers are substances that have high molar masses

and are made of a large amount of repeating units of monomers (ethene, tetrafluoruoethene, etc.).

• Polymers are formed by chemical reactions in which a large number of molecules called monomers are joined sequentially, forming a chain.

• In many polymers, only one monomer is used. This is a homo-polymer. Polymers that include a variety of repeating units are called co-polymers.

• They occur naturally and are synthesized (man-made).• Are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds.• The general structure consists of carbon with other

substances such as hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, alkyl groups, etc.

• They have a wide variety of uses, such as plastics.

Polymerization can occur in two ways:

Addition Reactions

and

Condensation Reactions.

The Difference Between Addition and Condensation Polymers?

Polymers are classified by the characteristics of the reactions by which they are formed.

• If all atoms in the monomers are incorporated into the polymer, the polymer is called an addition polymer.

• If some of the atoms of the monomers are released into small molecules, such as water, the polymer is called a condensation polymer.

• Most addition polymers are made from monomers containing a double bond between carbon atoms. Such monomers are called olefins, and most commercial addition polymers are polyolefins.

• Condensation polymers are made from monomers that have two different groups of atoms which can join together to form, for example, ester or amide links.

AdditionPolymers

General Structure

• W,X,Y, and Z can represent hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, alkyl, or other carbon containing side chains.

• Most addition polymers are made from monomers containing a double bond between carbon atoms. Such monomers are called olefins, and most commercial addition polymers are polyolefins.

• (Also known as alkenes)

NOMENCLATUREIf a polymer contains only one subunit, the prefix "poly" is added to the name of the subunit. For example, if a polymer is formed from a combination of ethylene monomers, its name would be polyethylene. Polymers containing more than one subunit are named based on the largest subunits, and are set off from the prefix "poly" with parentheses.

Examples

# 2

Everyday Uses!Polyethylene, used in milk containers/Plastics

Teflon, used in cooking ware http://tuberose.com/

Teflon.html

http://smallspaceliving.blogspot.com/2008/07/small-space-milk-not-just-for-squares.html

Poly(vinlychloride) (PVC), used for piping

http://www.hdpepipesandfittings.com/page/416799302-31968402

Polyisoprene, used in rubber bands http://www.fingerpainrelief.com/rubber-band-therapy-for-

finger-pain/

Condensation

Polymers

General Structure

NAMING SCHEME• Condensation polymers do not have a specific

or set naming scheme due to their many parts and many different monomers.

• The monomers are different, unlike addition polymers which are usually the same monomer throughout the chain.

• In most reactions, the poly prefix is used to designate that there are many, and both of the monomers are included into the naming.

Condensation Reactions

A condensation reaction is the formation of a polymer through the breaking of

bonds of functional groups as opposed to the addition reaction's breaking of

double bonds.

When a condensation reaction occurs, the functional group of a monomer breaks off, allowing it to join to

other monomers.

This reaction, along with the polymer, leaves a small molecule (which is said to be 'condensed out')

This molecule is usually water, hence 'Condensation' Reaction.

Continued…

● In this example, one monomer loses its hydroxyl group and the other its hydrogen.

● This forms water and a polymer.

Photo courtesy of http://science.howstuffworks.com

Examples

# 2polyester polyethylene terephthalate

Everyday Uses!Woven Dacron Tubing used for surgeries

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/figsearch?FIRSTINDEX=50&SEARCHID=1&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&FULLTEXT=dacron&andorexactfulltext=&resourcetype=HWFIG

Mylar, a sheet of polymers used for tape and many other objects http://workgroups.clemson.edu/

CAFLS0320_PKGSC_INSIGHTS/prospective/undergraduate.php

Nylon, used for clothing

http://www.threadart.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=63

Kevlar, used for clothing and protection

http://www.threadart.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=63

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