1. BY: MAKAYLA, JONATHAN AND COURTNEY
POLYMERS
BY: MAKAYLA, JONATHAN AND COURTNEY

2. What is a Polymer?
A polymer is a substance which has a large molecular mass made up of many fundamental building block molecules known as Monomers. Monomers can bond to each other on either side, in theory, forever.

3. General Structure : Addition Polymers
In this formula, W, X, Y, and Z could be another substance including hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, etc.), alkyl group, or other carbon containing side chains.
The majority of addition polymers consist of monomers containing a double bond between carbons.

4. General Structure: Condensation Polymers
Condensation polymers are made up of two separate groups of atoms, which can join together to form different links, such as ester or amide links (Polyesters, Polyamides).

5. How to Name Polymers Add the Prefix Poly- to the alkene family chain.
For example:
How to Name Polymers
CH2=CH2 → ( CH2-CH ) .
Ethene Polyethylene
Poly: From Greek word Polus or Polloi meaning “many” or “much” or “more than one”

6. Example of naming structures
**Note that Polyethylene is not an alkene, the double bonds break to form single covalent bonds to attach to the monomers on both sides.

7. Everyday Use of Polymers
Polyethylene (C2H4)n→ Plastic bags and bottles
Polypropene (C3H6)n→ Crates and Ropes
Polychloroethene (Polyvinyl chloride) (C2H3Cl)n→ Water pipes, Electrical wires and Insulation.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (C10H8O4)n → Yarns and Fabrics

8. Prepared by the reaction of Alkene monomers, in a 3 step process.
Addition Polymers
An initiator molecule attaches to an alkene monomer, creating a reactive site, which allows the new attachment to bond with another, creating a polymer.

9. Initiation
A substance is split into two identical parts leaving two free electrons to bond with other molecules.
Commonly in Peroxides, or O-O bonds.
These free parts are called Free Radicals

10. Propagation
When the Free Radical attaches to an alkene monomer, it generates a reactive site in the double bond between carbons. Another electron is freed, making room for another bond, to another carbon within a monomer.
It causes a chain reaction as it bonds with more and even more monomers.

11. Termination
A chain growth can be stopped when two free radicals combine, allowing for no more freed electrons, and thus, no more bonds.

15. Condensation Polymers
Condensation Polymers
Such as Polyesters begin
formation just as a simple
Ester normally would, except
the alcohol and acid
monomer units become
reactive.
Ex: Polyethylene
Terephthalate

18. Polymides
Are polymers synthesized from the same reactions used to make simple amides. But the repeating units are alternating.

21. Ionic Polymerization
Though Anions (-), cations (+) and free radicals can be used to initiate a reaction, they are not interchangeable.
It depends on the monomers polarity and charge, whether or not it’ll take to any of them to fully polymerize.

22. Sources:
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Organic Chemistry- page 1069, Chapter 23- Synthetic Polymers