NEET UG Chemistry Polymer
NEET UG Chemistry Polymer
NEET UG Chemistry Polymer
com
Unit-25 - POLYMER
IMPORTANT POINTS
§ INTRODUCTION
Polymer : Polymer (poly = many ; meros = parts) : is defined a material which is made by linking
together a large number of small recurring units called monomers. For example, polythene
(–CH2 – CH2 –)n is formed by linking together a large number of ethene (C2H4) molecules.
· Difference between Polymer and Macromolecule. Both polymer and macromolecules are
very big molecules. In a polymer there must be repeating units. But in a macromolecule, the
repeating unit may or may not be present. For example, polyethene containing the repeating unit –
CH2 – CH2 - , is regararded as both a polymer and a macromolecule. But chlorophyll having
formula C55H72O5N4Mg does not have any repeating unit and hence it is known as a macromolecule
but not a polymer.
§ CIASSIFICATION OF POLYMERS
(i) Cassification Based on Source
Natural and Synthetic polymers. The polymers found in nature are known as natural polymers
which control the life process in plants and animals and known as biopolymers, e.g., starch,
cellulose, proteins and nucleic acids. The polymers which are made in the laboratories are
known as synthetic polymers e.g., polythene, nylon, dacron etc.
Semi-synthetic polymers. Semi synthetic polymers are chemically modifiend naturally occurring
polymers. e.g., semi synthetic cellulose diacetate fibers are obtained by acetylation of nautural
celllose whith acetic anhydride in persence of sulphuric acid. An explosive cellulose nitrate
obtained obtained on nitration of cellulose is another example of semi-synthetic polymer Vulcanised
rubber used for making rubber tyres is also a semi-synthetic polymer.
(ii) Classification based on Polymerisation reaction
· Polymerisation. I is the union of two or more of smaller molecules of similar or different type with
or without elimination of a small molecule like water, HCl etc., resulting in the formation of a new
C – C bond.
· The number of repeating units (n) which link together to forma molecule is known as the degree of
polymerisation.
(iii) Classification Based on Mode of Polymerisation
· (a) Chain growth and step growth polymers
· Chain growth polymers. These polymers are formed by successive addition of monomer units to
the growing chain having a reaction intermediate (free radical, carbocation or carbanions) at one end
of the chain. Chain growth polymers are formed by a process which involves chain reactions and
the process is called chain gorwth polymerisation.
· Step growth polymers. These polymers are formed through a series of independent steps (reactions).
Each step involves the condensation (bond fromation) between two bifunctional units (monomers)
leading to the formation of a dimer, trimer, tetramer etc. Since the polymer is formed in a stepwise
manner, the process is called step growth polymerisation.
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· Some important differences between chain growht and step growth polymerisaion are given
below :
Sr. Chain growth polymerisation Step growth polymerisation
No.
(i) Addution polymerisation. Condensation polymerisation.
(ii) Monomers add to growing chain. Monomers add in steps to from dimers, timers.
(iii) Takes place through chain reactions Takes place through condensation reaction
in the presence of initiators.
(iv) Fast reaction Slow reaction.
(b) Homopolymer and copolymer
· Homopolyme. If a polymer is made up of identical monomers, it is a called a homopolymer (......-
M-M-M-M.......). For example, polythene, polyvinyl chloride and neoprene.
· Copolymers. If a polymer is made of monomers of different chemical structures, it is caled a
copolymer (...... –M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – .......). For example Buna-S, butyl rubber and nitrile
rubber.
· Copolymerisation is the polymerisation of two or more different monomer species resulting in high
molecular mass compounds called copolymerisation.
(c) Addition and condensation polymers
· Addition Polymerisation. In this process, the simple monomers are joined together without loss of
molecules like H2O, NH3, etc. Polythene is one example.
· Condensation Polymerisation. In this process, the simple monomers are combined together whith
the loss of simple molecules like H2O, NH3, etc., e.g., nylon.
· Some important differences between Additon and Condensation polymers are given below :
Sr. Addition polymers Condensation polymers
No.
1. Formed by addition reaction. Formed by condensation process with elimination
of small molecule like H2O.
2. Mol. mass is whole number multiple Mol. Mass is not whole number multiple of
of Monomer. the monomer units.
3. Generally involve one monomer Unit Involve more than one monomer unit.
4. Monomers are unsaturated molecules. Monomer units must have two active functional groups.
5. They are generally chain growth They are generally step growth polymers.
polymers.
(iv) Classification Based on Structure
· Linear Polymers. In these polymers there are straight chains of polymer molecules. For example,
nylon and polyester. Linear polymers possess high melting points and high density.
· Branched Chain Polymers. In these polymers there are braches along the chains of polymer
molecules. For example, amylopectin. Branched chain polymers possess low melting point and low
density.
· Cross Linked polymers. In these polymers the linear chains are joinded together by a suitable
cross link and as a result a three dimentional network structure is formed. For example, polystyrene
– butadiene polymer and urea formaldehyde polymer. The cross linking the mechanical strength also
increases.
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durable materials are made from high degree polymers while lower degree polymers are used to
obtain soft and cheaper materials.
Modification in properties of polymer substances
The properties of the polymer substances can be modified to make them more useful by adding
certain substances to them. For example ;
(i) Inorganic substance like TiO2, BaSO4, CaCO3, SiO2, are added to the polymers to abrasion.
These additives are called fillers.
(ii) Organic substances like tricresyl phosphate, glyeryl phthalate, tertiary butyl phthalate, oleic acid
are added to some polymers to introduce softness. These additives are called plasticizers.
(iii) Organic substances like phenol, cresol, and quinol and carbon black are added to check the
effect of sun light on the polymers and to avoid their decomposition. There additives are called.
antiocidants.
Characteristics of polymer substances
(i) They are light in weight and many types of material can be made out of them.
(ii) They are not affected by atmosphere and moisture unlike wood, metal, leather, cotton clothes.
(iii) They are insulators and possess heat resisting property.
(iv) They are no affected by the germs and most of the chemicals.
(v) Their properties can be easily modified to meet the requirement.
(vi) Their raw materials are easily and cheaply available.
§ GENRAL METHODS OF POLYMERISATION
They are obtained either by addition polymerisation or by condensation polymerisation.
(i) Addition polymerisation. Addition polymerisation involves the combination of a large number
of monomers of one or two types having one or more double bonds. Through chemical bond
formation this type of polymerisation is carried out by the formation of reactive intermediates
such as free radical or carbocation/carbanion with monomers like ethene, propene, styrene, 1,
3-butadiene, isobutylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl nitrile etc.
When a large number of two types of different monomers carrying double bonds add on
alternatively with each other, the reaction is called copolymerisation. Styrene butadiene rubber
alternatively with each other, the reaction is called copolymerisation. Styrene butadiene rubber
(SBR) obtained from styrene and butadiene monomers is copolymer.
(a) Free redical addition polymerisation. Various types of unsturated compounds such as alkeness
or dienes and their derivatives undergo polymerisation via free radical reactive intermediates.
Free redical generated by primary initiator like tertiary butyl peroxide at proper temperature
and pressure. The free radical joins the double bond of monomer ethene forming a new free
radical. This new free radical joins many other molecules one by one forming everytime bigger
and bigger and bigger chain type new free radical. Finally depending upon the reaction conditions,
two bigger long chain type of free radicals join each other to form a polymer molecule.
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M.C.Q.
(1) A high molecular weight molecule built from a large number of simple molecules is called a
(A) Monomer (B) Isomer (C) Polymer (D) Tautomer.
(2) A high molicular wieht molicule which does not contain repeating structural units is called a
(A) Polymer (B) Macromolecule (C) Both (A) and (B) (D) None of the above
(3) The simple molecules from which a polymer is made are called
(A) Monomers (B) Metamers (C) Rotamers (D) Eantiomers.
(4) Which of the following is not a biopolymer ?
(A) Proteins (B) Nucleic (C) Cellulose (D) Neoprene.
(5) What is not true about polymers ?
(A) Polymers do not carry any charge (B) Polymers hgave hig viscosity
(C) Polymers scatter light (D) Polymers have low molecular weights.
(6) On the bases of the mode of their formation the polymers can be classified
(A) as addition polymers only (B) as condensation polymers only
(C) as copolymers (D) Both as addition and condensation polymers
(7) Natural rubber is a polymer of
(A) Butadiene (B) Ethyne (C) Styrene (D) Isoprene
(8) Terylene is a condensation polymer of ethylene glycol and
(A) Benzoic acid (B) Phthalic acid (C) Sakucylic acid (D) Terephthalic acid.
(9) Which one of the following is not an example of chain growth polymer ?
(A) Neopreme (B) Buna-S (C) PMMA (D) Glyptal.
(10) Which of the following is a synthetic polymer ?
(A) Starch (B) Silk (C) Protein (D) Polystyrene.
(11) Homopolymers are made from
(A) Only one type of monomers (B) Two different of monomers
(C) Three different types of monomers (D) Several different types of monomers.
(12) Amongst the following, a homopolymer is
(A) PMMA (B) Bakelite (C) Glyptal (D) Dacron
(13) Which of the following is a copolymer.
(A) Buna-S (B) PAN (C) Polythene (D) PTFE
(14) Which of the following is a linear polymer ?
(A) Nylon (B) Bakelite
(C) Alkyd resin (D) Melamine-formaldehyde polymer.
(15) Amongst the following, the branched chain polymer is
(A) PVC (B) Polyester (C) Low density polythene (D) Nylon-66
(16) A copolymer of acrylonitrile and 1, 3-butadine is called.
(A) Buna-N (B) Polystyrene (C) Neoprene (D) Buna-S.
(17) Which of the following is wrong ?
(A) PMMA is called plexiglass (B) PTFE is called teflon
(C) SBR is natural rubber (D) LDPE is called low density polythene.
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(100) Ebonite is
(A) Natural rubber (B) Synthetic rubber
(C) Higly vulcanized rubber (D) polypropene
ANSWER KEY
1 C 26 B 51 A 76 B
2 B 27 A 52 C 77 D
3 A 28 C 53 A 78 C
4 D 29 D 54 A 79 A
5 D 30 B 55 B 80 D
6 D 31 D 56 D 81 B
7 D 32 D 57 A 82 B
8 D 33 A 58 C 83 D
9 D 34 B 59 B 84 B
10 D 35 D 60 C 85 A
11 A 36 B 61 C 86 D
12 A 37 D 62 B 87 A
13 A 38 D 63 A 88 A
14 A 39 D 64 C 89 C
15 C 40 B 65 B 90 D
16 A 41 B 66 D 91 A
17 C 42 A 67 B 92 A
18 D 43 A 68 A 93 A
19 D 44 C 69 D 94 A
20 C 45 A 70 C 95 B
21 D 46 C 71 A 96 A
22 D 47 A 72 A 97 C
23 D 48 B 73 B 98 B
24 C 49 D 74 A 99 C
25 D 50 B 75 B 100 C
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