By Grant, Shannon, and Stephanie Polymerization By Grant, Shannon, and Stephanie

Terms to Know Polymerization- the formation of very large molecules (polymers) from many small molecular units (monomers) Polymer- a large molecule formed by the covalent bonding of repeating smaller molecules Monomer- smaller molecules that combine to form a polymer Catalyst- a substance that increases the rate of reaction by lowering the activation-energy barrier; the catalyst is not used up in the reaction

Addition Polymers What are they? How are they formed? An addition polymer is a polymer which is formed through an addition reaction. How are they formed? An addition polymer forms when unsaturated monomers react to form a polymer. In addition polymerization, monomers are added to each other to form polymers. The polymer is the only product formed (there are no by-products). Example: Ethene undergoes addition polymerization. The ethene molecules bond to one another to form the long chain polymer, polyethylene.

Condensation Polymers What are they? A condensation polymer is a polymer which is formed through a condensation reaction. How are they formed? The monomers that are involved in condensation polymerization are not the same as the monomers in addition polymerization. Condensation polymers are formed by the head to tail joining of different monomer units. They are usually accompanied by the formation of water as a reaction product, thus the name condensation. Water separates from at least two of the polymer molecules once they are combined. Condensation polymerization requires that there be two functional groups (bifunctional monomers). When these functional groups react, smaller molecules, like the water, are eliminated.

How to Name Polymers Examples: In every polymer, there is a repeating monomer When you name a polymer, the repeating monomer is at the end of the name The beginning of the name is the prefix “poly” Examples: Addition Polymer: When ethene (monomer) forms a polymer, the “ene” is dropped and a “ylene” is added You then have to add the “poly” at the beginning which makes polyethylene Condensation Polymer: When an ester (monomer) forms a polymer, there is no “ene” to be dropped You simply add the prefix “poly” which makes polyester

Examples of Addition Polymers H C C H Cl polyethylene polyvinylchloride

Example of a Condensation Polymer H C polyester

Everyday Uses -polyvinylchloride is a widely used plastic, found in things like packaging, credit cards, bottles, etc. -polyester is most commonly used in clothing but it is also used in creating insulin -polyethylene is the most popular used plastic in the world and is used for things like shampoo bottles, grocery bags, and even bullet proof vests -polyvinylfluoride is used as a protective film for building sidings -polyamide (nylon) is used for parachutes, swimwear, boat sails, etc.

Resources: “Condensation Polymerization.” Condensation Polymerization. 21 September 2009. <http://www.materialsworldmodules.org/resources/polimarization/4-condensation.html> “Polymers and Polymerization.” Polymers and Polymerization Tutorial. 21 September 2009. <http://www.ausetute.com.au/polymers.html> 3) “Addition Polymerization.” Addition Polymerization. 21 September 2009. <http://composite.about.com/library/glossary/a/bldef-a132.htm> 4) “Condensation Polymerization.” Condensation Polymerization. 21 September 2009. <http://composite.about.com/library/glossary/c/bldef-c1231.htm> 5) “Polyvinyl Chloride.” Polyvinyl Chloride | Greenpeace International. 27 September 2009. <http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/polyvinyl-chloride> 6) “Uses of Polyester.” Uses of Polyester. 27 September 2009. <http://www.whatispolyester.com/uses.html> 7) “Polyethylene.” Polyethylene. 27 September 2009. <http://sunfh.tripod.com/chem7.htm> 8) “Uses of Polymers.” The Uses of Polymers and Plastics offered by Alliance Polymers. 27 September 2009. <http://www.alliancepoly.com/polymers-use.asp> 9) Hornback, Joseph. Organic Chemistry. USA: Brooks/Cole, 1998. 10) Jones, Loretta, and Peter Atkins. Chemistry: Molecules, Matter, and Change. 4th ed. USA: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2000. Jenkins, Kessel, et al. Chemistry. Atlantic ed. Ontario: Nelson, 1996. Wilbraham, Staley, et al. Chemistry. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2008.