polymers
1
Experiment 15: Exploring the World of Polymers
Objective: In this experiment, you will explore a class of chemical compounds known as polymers. You will synthesize and modify polymers, test their properties and use a fabrication technique to produce an object from a polymer.
Introduction
(See Tro, pp 985-987.)
The importance of both natural and synthetic polymers in our lives cannot be overestimated. The desirable properties of these macromolecules, such as tensile strength and flexibility, make them extremely useful both in nature and in the manufacture of products that we use every day. Examples of naturally occurring polymers include such things as wood, cotton, paper and silk as well as proteins and
DNA. Plastics, Teflon®, Plexiglass™, and Mylar™ are all examples of commercially available synthetic polymers.
Polymers are made up of smaller repeating units, called monomers, which are linked together by covalent bonds. The polymerization processes by which polymers are synthesized fall into two categories.
Addition polymers are formed by addition reactions that link together monomers containing multiple bonds. One example of this process is the polymerization of styrene to form polystyrene. styrene HC
styrene
CH2
HC
C
HC
CH
C
H
CH2
CH2
CH
C
CH
HC
polystyrene
+
HC
C
CH
CH
HC
C
H
HC
HC
CH2
CH
C
CH HC
CH
CH HC
C
H
CH2
CH
CH
C
H
or
C
HC
CH
HC
CH
C
H
n
Figure 1. Reaction scheme for the preparation of polystyrene.
Polystyrene is used in molded plastics and as a foam insulator. You will synthesize polystyrene in today's experiment.
Condensation polymers are formed by linking together monomers with the release of a smaller molecule, such as water or hydrogen chloride. An example of this type of polymerization is the formation of a laminating resin called Glyptal from the reaction of glycerol and phthalic acid. The molecule that is
Experiment 15: Exploring the World of Polymers
Objective: In this experiment, you will explore a class of chemical compounds known as polymers. You will synthesize and modify polymers, test their properties and use a fabrication technique to produce an object from a polymer.
Introduction
(See Tro, pp 985-987.)
The importance of both natural and synthetic polymers in our lives cannot be overestimated. The desirable properties of these macromolecules, such as tensile strength and flexibility, make them extremely useful both in nature and in the manufacture of products that we use every day. Examples of naturally occurring polymers include such things as wood, cotton, paper and silk as well as proteins and
DNA. Plastics, Teflon®, Plexiglass™, and Mylar™ are all examples of commercially available synthetic polymers.
Polymers are made up of smaller repeating units, called monomers, which are linked together by covalent bonds. The polymerization processes by which polymers are synthesized fall into two categories.
Addition polymers are formed by addition reactions that link together monomers containing multiple bonds. One example of this process is the polymerization of styrene to form polystyrene. styrene HC
styrene
CH2
HC
C
HC
CH
C
H
CH2
CH2
CH
C
CH
HC
polystyrene
+
HC
C
CH
CH
HC
C
H
HC
HC
CH2
CH
C
CH HC
CH
CH HC
C
H
CH2
CH
CH
C
H
or
C
HC
CH
HC
CH
C
H
n
Figure 1. Reaction scheme for the preparation of polystyrene.
Polystyrene is used in molded plastics and as a foam insulator. You will synthesize polystyrene in today's experiment.
Condensation polymers are formed by linking together monomers with the release of a smaller molecule, such as water or hydrogen chloride. An example of this type of polymerization is the formation of a laminating resin called Glyptal from the reaction of glycerol and phthalic acid. The molecule that is