LECTURE 7

TEEM 1101: GENERAL CHEMISTRY

POLYMERS
• Addition polymers
• Condensation polymers
• Copolymers

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso

 INTRODUCTION
Matter is composed of many small units called molecules, which are in different sizes
and shapes and associated with atoms.
Polymers are giant or macro molecules which play a vital role in our daily life and
provide the basic needs of our life (food, clothing and shelter).
Polymer: A high molecular weight compound (macro molecule) made by linking
together a large number of small molecules called monomers.
Monomer: The basic repeating units present in a polymer.
E.g Vinyl chloride is a monomer of PVC,
Ethylene is a monomer of poly ethylene,
Glucose is a monomer of starch,
Amino acids are the monomers of proteins,

10/5/2024 2
Amina Nalweyiso
 Reasons for the extensive use of polymers;
Most of the polymers are non-toxic & safe to use
They have low densities (light in weight) so transportation will be easy.
They posses good mechanical strength.
They are resistant to corrosion and will not absorb moisture when exposed to the
atmosphere.
They can function as good thermal & electrical insulators.
They can be moulded and fabricate easily.
They posses esthetic colors

Limitations for the use of polymers are

Some polymers are combustible.
The properties of polymers are time dependent
Some of them cannot with stand high temperature.

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 3

Degree of polymerization: The number of repeating units (or) monomers present in
the polymer is called as degree of polymerization. They may be hundreds (or)
thousands (or) ten thousands.

Classification based on degree of polymerization:

◦ Polymers having high DP (having of more number of monomers) are called
High polymers. Their molecular weight range is about 10,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons.
◦ Polymers with low DP are called Oligopolymers. Their molecular weight ranges
from 5,000 to 200,000 Daltons.
Classification based on occurrence:
◦ Polymers may be either Natural (natural rubber, proteins, cellulose, starch etc) (or)
Synthetic (PVC, PE, PS, Teflon, Nylon, Bakelite etc…..)

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 4

 BASIC CONCEPTS
1. Functionality:
The number of bonding sites (or) reacting sites present in a monomer is called as
functionality. Each monomer should have minimum two bonding sites for
polymerization.
a) If the functionality of monomer is 2, the resultingpolymer is linear (or) straight
chained. Ex: Ethylene, styrene, vinyl chloride.

b) If the functionality of monomer is three (trifunctional), Cross linked three

dimensional polymers are obtained.

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 5

c) If a mixture of bi functional and tri functional monomers is present in a polymer,
branched chain polymers are formed. E.g: Buna – S – Rubber.

2. Nomenclature: polymers are given names based on two properties

 Type of monomers present
 Type of atoms present in back bone chain
(i) Type of monomers:
a) Homo polymer: Polymer made up of only one type of monomer. They may be linear,
branched (or) Cross – linked. e.g PVC, Polythene, Teflon etc………..

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 6

b) Hetero polymers or Co–polymers: If a polymer is composed of different types of
monomers, then it is called Hetero / co – polymers. They may be generally linear (or)
Branched.

(ii)Type of atoms present in back bone chain:

a) Homo chain polymer: If the main chain is mode up of same
species of atoms is called homo chain polymer.
–C–C–C–C–C–
b) Hetero chain polymer: If main chain is composed of different atoms is said to be
Hetero chain polymer.
–C–O–C–O–C–O–

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 7

c) Graftco-polymers: These polymers are branched structures in which the monomer units
on the branches and back bone differ.

3) Tacticity: The arrangement of functional groups on the backbone of the polymer is

called Tacticiy
Based on tacticity, polymers are of three types.
1. Isotactic Polymers
2. Syndiotactic Polymers
3. Atactic Polymers

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 8

a) Isotactic: If all the functional groups
are arranged on the same side of the
chain, the polymer is called Isotactic
polymer.

b) Atactic: If all the functional are

arranged randomly around the main
chain, the polymer is called Atactic
polymer.

c) Syndiotactic: If all the functional

groups are arranged alternately with
respect to the main chain, the polymer is
called syndiotactic polymer.

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 10

 POLYMERISATION
The process of combining of monomers to form polymers is called as polymerisation
(or) The formation of polymers from monomers is called as Polymerization.
There are three types of polymerisation.
1) Addition Polymerisation /chain polymerisation; Addition polymers are formed by
adding monomer units without any loss of atoms or groups. This polymerisation takes
place between monomers that are bifunctional and contain double bonds in their
structure.
The process of binding of many bifunctional monomers without elimination of
byproducts by addition reactions to form polymers is called as addition
polymerization. This polymerization results in the formation of linear polymers. The
produced polymer has same chemical composition as that of monomers. The molecular
weight of polymer is an integral multiple of the mwt of the monomer

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 10

 Examples:
Formation of PVC:

Polymerization of ethylene:

Polymerization of Styrene:

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 11

13
2) Condensation Polymerisation:
This is also called Step-wise polymerisation. This occurs between monomers that
contain polar side groups. A reaction occurring between the same (or) different polar
groups containing monomers with elimination of small molecules like ammonia,
water, HCl etc….. and forms linear (or) Cross – linked polymers is called
Condensation Polymerization.

The molecular weight of polymer is not an integral multiple of the

molecular weight of monomer. The chemical composition of monomer andpolymer are
different. It results in the formation of linear or cross linked polymers.
E.g Formation of Nylon-6,6: Formed by the condensation of Hexamethylenediamine
with adipic acid (Tetramethylene dicarboxylic acid).

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 12

14
Formation of Polyester: Formed by the condensation between ethylene glycol and
Terephthalic acid

3) Co-polymerisation:
When two (or) more different types of monomers undergo simultaneous polymerisation
then it is called Co-Polymerisation. The properties of co-polymers are different from
those of individual monomers. The copolymers may be alternating, random, block and
graft polymers.
E.g: Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 15

 PLASTICS
An organic substance with high molecular weight, which can be moulded in to any
desired form when subjected to heat and pressure in the presence of a catalyst is called as
plastic.
Now a days plastics play a important role in daily life because of their certain unique
properties.
 Light in weight
 Transparent
 Low maintenance cost
 Chemically inert
 Corrosion resistance
 Insect resistance
 Easy transportability
 Easy workability
 Impermeable to water
10/5/2024
 High resistance to abrasion Amina Nalweyiso 17
Plastics as engineering materials:-
Advantages of plastics over other engineering materials.
(1) Low fabrication cost, low thermal & electrical conductivities, high resistance to
corrosion & solvents.
(2) The stress – strain relationship of plastics is similar to that of the metals.
(3) Plastics reduce noise & vibration in machines
(4) Plastics are bad conductors of heat are useful for making handles used for hot objects,
most plastics are inflammable.
(5) Plastics are electrical insulators & find large scale use in the electrical industry.
(6) Plastics are resistant to chemicals.
(7) Plastics are clear & transparent so they can be given beautiful colours.

Disadvantages:
◦ Low heat resistance, so combustible, High softness, Poor ductility, Major pollutant
since they are non degradable

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 15

Types of Plastics: Plastics are divided in to two types; Thermo Plastics and Thermo setting
Plastics THERMOPLASTICS THERMO SETING PLASTICS
 They are formed by addition  Formed by condensation Polymerization.
Polymerization.  They become soft on initial heating and
 They become soft on heating & hard on hard on cooling. On reheating they
cooling. become more hard.
 They are soft, weak and less – brittle.  They are hard, strong and more – brittle.
 Adjacent polymer chains are held  Adjacent polymer chains are held together
together by weak Vanderwaal’s forces by strong covalent bonds.
 They have either linear (or) branched  Due to strong bonds, they exhibit cross-
chain structures. linked 3D-structure.
 Their chemical nature is not altered  Chemical changes takes place during
during heating & cooling. moulding process.
 They can be remoulded, reshaped &  They cannot be remoulded and reused so
reused so they can be reclaimed from they cannot be reclaimed from the waste.
waste.  Due to strong bonds and cross links, they
 Low molecular weight thermoplastics are are not soluble in almost all organic
soluble in suitable organic solvents solvents.
Ex: Bakelite, amino resins, poly ester resins,
Ex: PE, PVS, PS, Nylon Teflon etc… poly orethones epoxy resins etc……..

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 18

 PLASTICS- POLY VINYL CHLORIDE (PVC)
Preparation: Vinyl chloride is used as a monomer for the manufacture of polyvinyl
chloride. Vinyl chloride is prepared by reacting acetylene with hydrogen chloride at
100-1500C in the presence of metal salt catalyst.

PVC is prepared by heating a water- emulsion of vinyl chloride in presence of Benzoyl

Peroxide in an autoclave under pressure.

Properties: PVC is colorless and odorless Powder. It is non-inflammable and chemically

inert. It is soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons like ethyl chloride, etc. and ketones. It has
high resistance to light, inorganic acids, alkalis, and atmospheric oxygen.
Uses: Plasticized PVC is used for making table cloths, rain coats, coatings for electric wire
and cables, toilet articles, radio, T.V components, pipes, coupling valves, etc. Un-plasticized
PVC or rigid PVC is used for making refrigerator components, cycle and motor cycle
mudguards, tubes, pipes, etc.
10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 20
 PLASTICS-BAKELITE
Also called as- Phenol formaldehyde resin/ phenolic resin / phenoplast. Bakelite is a
important thermosetting plastic named after the scientist Bakeland, who synthesized this
resin in they year 1909.
It is prepared by the condensation/ stepwise polymerization of phenol with formaldehyde
in presence of an acid (or) alkali as a catalyst. This polymerization takes place in three
steps:
Step I: Phenol can condense with formaldehyde to produce O – hydroxy methyl phenol
and P – hydroxy methyl phenol

Formal O-hydroxy
p-hydroxy
dehyde methyl phenol
methyl phenol

Step II: condensation takes place between O – hydroxy methyl phenol and phenol to give
linear polymer called Novalac.
10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 21
  Step III: During molding, Hexa methylene tetraamine ((CH2)6 N4) is added, it
produces formaldehyde and ammonia. Formaldehyde converts the soluble and
fusible Novalac into a hard infusible and insoluble solid of cross – linked structure
called Bakelite, whereas NH3 neutralizes the acid.

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 22

 Properties:
 Bakelites are rigid, hard, scratch resistant, infusible, water resistant, solid substance.
 Resistant to acids, salts and most organic solvents but attacked by alkali due to the presence
of hydroxyl groups.
 Good electrical insulator
Applications:
 For making electric insulator parts like switches, plugs, holders, switch boards, heater
etc……….
 For making moulded article like telephone parts, cabinets for radio and T.V.
 Used in paints and varnishes
 As adhesives for grinding and wheels.
 In the product of ion exchange resin
 For making bearings used in propeller shops, for paper industry and
Rolling mills.
10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 23
 PLASTICS-NYLON-6,6
Also called as- Poly Amid Resin. Nylon is a poly amide resin consisting of amide group
produced by condensation polymerization of diamine with di-acid.

The Nylon has been named on the basis of the number of carbon atoms in the monomer
chain. E.g Nylon-6,6, Nylon-6,10, Nylon-6, Nylon-11 etc……….. where the first number
indicates that a the number of carbon atoms in diamine and the second number indicates
that number of carbon atoms in diacid.
Nylon-6,6 is produced by the condensation polymerization of hexa methylene di-amine
with adipic acid.

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 24

Properties:
 It shows plastic and fiber property.
 Insoluble in common solvent and soluble in pharmic acid and phenol
 Posses high strength and high melting point (160 – 2640C)
 They absorb little moisture
 Possesses resistance to environmental conditions and chemicals.
 They are good electrical insulators.
Applications:
 Nylon 6:6 is used as fiber for making socks, dresses, carpets, under
garments, airbags, ropes, conveyor belts etc.
 It is a light material so used to make parachutes.
 As it is water proof, it is used for making swimwear.
 It is resistant to water so it is used for making machine parts.

10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 25

 Plastic container code system.

PERCENT OF
CODE MATERIAL
TOTAL
Polyethylene Terephthalate
20-30 percent
(PETE)

High Density Polyethylene 50-60 percent

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 5-10 percent

Low Density Polyethylene 5-10 percent

Polypropylene 5-10 percent

Polystyrene 5-10 percent
All other resins 5-10 percent
10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 23
1 -- PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate); PET is used in the production of soft drink
bottles, peanut butter jars. It can be recycled into fiberfill for sleeping bags, carpet fibers,
rope, pillows...
2 -- HDPE (High-density polyethylene); HDPE is found in milk jugs, butter tubs,
detergent bottles, motor oil bottles. HDPE can be recycled into flower pots, trash cans,
traffic barrier cones, detergent bottles...
3 -- V (Polyvinyl chloride); PVC is used in shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, fast
food service items. PVC can be recycled into drainage and irrigation pipes...
4 -- LDPE (Low-density polyethylene); LDPE is found in grocery bags, bread bags,
shrink wrap, margarine tub tops... LDPE can be recycled into new grocery bags...
5 -- PP (Polypropylene); PP is used in most yogurt containers, straws, pancake syrup
bottles, bottle caps.... PP can be recycled into plastic lumber, car battery cases, manhole
steps...
6 -- PS (Polystyrene); PS is found in disposable hot cups, packaging materials (peanuts),
and meat trays... PS can be recycled into plastic lumber, cassette tape boxes, flower pots...
7 – Other; This is usually a mixture of various plastics, like squeeze ketchup bottles,
"microwaveable" dishes...
10/5/2024 Amina Nalweyiso 24