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POLYMER

Polymer is a large molecule formed by the union of large number

of single molecule. The small repeating molecule are called monomers.
This process is called polymerisation.
Classification based on source
1)Natural polymers :- The polymers which are obtained from
nature. Eg:- proteins, rubber, starch etc.
2)Synthetic polymers :- The man made polymers are called
Synthetic polymers eg:- PVC, neoprene
Classification based on structure of polymers
1)linear polymers :–The monomers units link to form long
straight chains are called linear polymers eg:- nylon66,polythene
2)Branched chain polymers :–The polymers which have side
chains attached to linear chains eg- glycogen
3) Cross linked polymers:-The polymeric chains are linked
each through cross links eg:- bakelite, melamine formaldehyde
classification based on intermolecular forces
1)Elastomers :-these are polymers having elastic character .The
Polymeric chains are held together by weak intermolecular
Forces eg:- rubber, Buna-S
2)Fibres –These are thread like polymers and held together by
Strong intermolecular forces eg:- nylon6,nylon66
3)Thermoplastics-this can be moulded again and again by
repeated heating and cooling eg polypropylene, polyethylene
4)Thermosetting plastic-once it heated it become permanently
hard eg –Bakelite
Q)Bakelite on heating become a hard non fusible mass which property
of bakelite is responsible for this change?
Bakelite is a thermosetting plastic during heating cross links
are formed between polymeric chains.
Classification based on mode of polymerisation
1) Homopolymer and Co-polymer
Homopolymer:-polymers when made by polymerisation of single
monomeric units eg- polyethylene polystyrene ,nylon6
Co-polymer:–formed by two or more than two monomeric units
Eg- nylon66, SBR,
2) Addition polymers and Condensation polymers
Addition polymers are formed by the repeated addition
of monomeric units.
Condensation polymers are formed by the elimination
of simple molecules like water or ammonium .
Molecular mass of polymers
1) Number average molecular mass
N1 molecules having molecular mass M1 and N2 having M2 and N3
having N3.
Then no average molecular mass is= N1M1+N2M2+N3M3/N1+N2+N3
2) Weight average molecular mass
Molecules with W1 mass has molecular mass M1 and with W2 .
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M2 and with W3 , M3 then weight average molecular mass is

given by W1M1+W2M2+W3M3/W1+W2+W3
But W1=N1M1
So weight average molecular mass =
N1M12+N2M22+N3M32/N1M1+N2M2+N3M3

Addition polymers
1. Polyolefins
i . Polythene or polyethelene
These classes of polymers are obtained by addition
polymerisation of enthene.
n CH2  CH2  ( CH2  CH2 ) n
Ethene Polyethene
ii . Polystyrene
It is prepared by addition polymerisation of styrene.

CH=CH2 CH-CH2-

n
2 . Polyhalo olefins
i . Polyvinyl chloride(PVC)
It is a homo polymer of vinyl chloride.
CHCl = CH2  (- CHCl-CH2-)n
ii . Teflon(PTFE)
It is an addition homo polymer of 1,1,2,2,- tetrafluoroethene.
n CF2 = CF2 ( - CF2 – CF2 - )n
Q . X is a polymer formed from an unsaturated halogen compound . X
is chemically inert and is used for making flying pans.
a) Identify the polymer, X
b) Why do we use ‘X’ for making non-sticky frying pan.
a) Teflon
b) It is very tough and resistant to heat and chemicals.
3. Polyacrylates
i . Polyacrylonitrile(PAN)
It is obtained by addition homo polymerisation of
acrylonitrile(vinyl cyanide).
CH2 = CH – CN - CH2 – CH -
CN n

ii . Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA)
It is obtained by the polymerisation of methyl methacrylate in the
presence of benzoyl peroxide.

CH3 COOCH3
CH2 = C – COOCH3 - CH2 – C -
CH3 n
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4. Polydienes
i . Neoprene
It is obtained by the polymerisation of chloroprene ( 2- chloro 1,3-
butadiene) in the presence of oxygen.

Cl Cl

CH2 = C – CH = CH2  - CH2 - C = CH - CH2 -n

ii . Buna-S or Styrene-Butadiene Rubbur(SBR)

It is a co-polymer of 1,3-butadiene and styrnen . It is formed
when 1,3-butadiene and styrene in the ratio 1:3 is heated in the
presence of metallic sodium.
Na
nCH2 = CH –CH = CH2+nCH = CH2

Butadiene C6H5
Styrene
(-CH2 – CH = CH - CH2 - CH - CH2-)n
Buna S C6H5

iii . Buna-N(GR-M)
It is a co-polymer of 1,3-butadiene and acrylonitrile. It is formed
when 1,3-butadiene and acrylonitrile in the ratio 1:3 is heated in
the presence of metallic sodium.

Na
nCH2 = CH – CH = CH2 + nCH = CH2

CN
(-CH2 – CH = CH – CH2 – CH - CH2-)n

CN

Condensation polymers
1 . Polyesters
i . Dacron(Terylene):-It is the condensation polymer of ethylene glycol
and terephthalic acid
HO-CH2-CH2-OH+HOOC- -COOH

 - O - CH2 - CH2 – O – OC - -CO-n

ii . Glyptal(Alkyd resin):- It is formed by the condensation

polymerisation of ethylene glycol with phthalic acid.

HO-CH2-CH2-OH+HOOC - -COOH
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 - O - CH2 - CH2 – O – OC - -CO-n

2 . Polymides
i . Nylon-66:-It is formed by the condensation polymerisation of adipic
acid and hexamethylene diammine.
H2N-(CH2)6-NH2+HOOC-(CH2)4-COOH
-HN-(CH2)5-NH-OC-(CH2)4-CO-n
ii . Nylon-6:- When caprolactam is heated with traces of water it
polymerises to give nylone-6.

H
N H2O
C=O (-CO – (CH2)5 – NH-)n

3 . Formaldehyde resin
i . Phenol-formaldehyde resins (Bakelite):-It is a condensation polymer
and is obtained from phenol and formaldehyde in the presence of
basic catalyst.

OH OH OH
OH CH2OH
+ HCHO +

CH2OH

ii . Melamine-formaldehyde resin:-It is a polymer formed by the

condensation of melamine with formaldehyde.

NH2 N NH2 H2N N NH-CH2OH

+HCHO
N N N N

NH2 NH2

(-HN N NH-CH2-)n
Polymerisation
N N

NH-
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Natural rubber
Rubbur is the cis isomer of isoprene and gutta-percha is the
trance isomer of isoprene.
Synthetic rubber
Eg:-Buna-S, Buna-N, Thiokol, Silicones
Thiokol rubber :-Ethylene dichloride and sodium polysulphide
undergo polymerisation in the presence of Mg(OH)2 to give Thiokol
rubber.
nCl – CH2 – CH2 – Cl + nNa – S – S – Na  (-CH2 –CH2 – S – S-)n

Bio degradable polymers

Bio degradable polymers degrade into small segments by enzyme

action or by atmospheric oxidation or by bacterial degradation.
Polyhydroxybutyrate-co--hydroxy valerate(PHBV) is a co-polymer of
3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 3 – hydroxy pentanoic acid. The monomer
unit are connected by ester linkages.
CH3 - CH(OH)-CH2 - COOH+CH3 - CH2 - CH(OH) - CH2 - COOH
 (- O – CHR - CH2 – CO -)n

Nylon-2-nylon-6 - is an alternating polyamide co-polymer of glycine

and amino caproic acid and is biodegradable.
H2N - CH2 - COOH+H2N - (CH2)5 – COOH 
(-HN – CH2 – CO – NH – (CH2)5 – CO-)n
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