Polystyrene Synthesis Uyen – Phuong Lam Chem 12B SP 2006 Professor Adamczeski

Abstract In this PowerPoint presentation I will introduce the properties of plastics and how it was synthesized, an introduction to polystyrene. The first discovered polystyrene was attempted by a German pharmacist by the name Eduard Simon. It was later when more chemists began to see the relationship between the polymer polystyrene produce plastic. Plastic is very crucial to ours lives because of its unique characteristic and properties. Even though plastic is everywhere and it seems like we have a mass production of it, we must look into what we can do to recycle plastic, because it does take a long time to decompose plastics, to help improve the polluted the environment. There are many different types and levels of plastics. We must know what it takes a very long time to completely decompose a plastic and therefore must recycle and be wise about using plastic products. This presentation will focus on the synthesis and structures of plastics as well as their environmental ramifications.

Outline What is a polymer? Define Polystyrene Polystyrene Discovered Synthesis of Polystyrene Usage of Polystyrene Environmental consequences Characteristics of Plastics

Polymer Polymer: something made of many units called monomers joined together. Polymers can be thought of as a chain. Each link of the chains is the “-mer” or the basic unit that is usually made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and/or silicon. To make the chain, many links of “-mers” are hooked or polymerized together.

What does a polymer look like? At a macro scale level, it would look somewhat like a chain of paperclips

Discoveries of Polystyrene -1839: first synthesize by German pharmacist, Eduard Simon. Simon isolated substance from natural resin; however, he did not know what he had discovered. - Herman Staudinger, another German organic chemist relalize Simon’s discovery, comprised styrene molecules, was a plastic polymer.

Synthesis of Polystyrene A. Polystyrene: a plastic polymer made from monomer units of styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is commercially manufactured from petroleum, but can be melted at higher temperature for molding than resolidified. The chemical reaction for the synthesis of polystyrene is shown on top

Synthesis of Polystyrene Before we can synthesize polystyrene, we must make its monomer styrene Direct catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene is the main manufacturing course of styrene

Synthesis of Polystyrene Once styrene is produced, nearly 65% of it is then used to produce polystyrene. The overall reaction that describes the styrene polymerization is shown here.

Usage of Polystyrene A.Once synthesize polystyrene must be cross-linked before it could produce plastic products. B. Usage of Polystyrene: 1. Polypropylene: auto parts, washing machine agitators, house wares 2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): milk bottles, pipes, shopping bags 3. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): film for packaging 4. Polyethylene terephtalate (PET): packaging, soft drinks bottle

Codes for Different Polystyrenes CodesCommon uses Plastic soft drinks, waters. Ovenable Milk, shampoo, medicine bottles PVC pipes, window frame, cable insulation

Usable Polystyrene CodeCommon uses Squeezable bottles, e.g. ketchup, honey. Medicine, catsups bottles, Egg cantons, plastic cup, plate, foam 3 or 5 gallons water bottle, plastic lumber application

DO recycle –Soda, water, juice, food jars, milk, shampoo bottles DON’T recycle –Motor oil bottles, anti- freeze containers, gasoline and oil additive bottle –Brown liquor Bottle –All container with these marks

There a price that must be paid for the convenience we get from using disposable cuts, bowls, and Styrofoam. –The waste product is detrimental to the environment. –It takes ~500 years for a Styrofoam cut to completely breakdown.

Characteristic of Plastics A.Very resistant to chemical B.Both thermal and electrical insulator C.Very light weight with varying degrees of strength D.Can be processed in various ways to produce thin fibers of very intricate parts E.Lates updates: “No clear resolution to rising raw material prices” in plastics.

Bibliography 1.American Plastic Council 2.The Plastic Today for the Technology Tomorrow 3.Plastic Fabricators 4.Hollo Plastics Equipment, INC 5. Ask Science Theatre 6.Chemical & Engineering News: Plastics. Volume 83, Number 37. September 12, Front Cover 7.Leung, Alfred B., Kwang I. Suh, and Rafat R. Ansari. "Particle-size and velocity measurements in flowing conditions using dynamic light scattering.(Author abstract)." Applied Optics (April 1, 2006): 2186(5). Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomson Gale. CCL San Jose City College. 30 April 2006