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POLYMERS AND POLYMERIZATION
Polymers are large molecules composed of a repeating sequence of monomers. A monomer is
usually a small molecule or compound. A common monomer is ethene (ethylene), C2H4.
Polymers are typically produced using two types of reactions; addition polymerization and
condensation polymerization reactions.
Addition Polymerization Reactions:
Addition polymerization involves the bonding of monomers without the elimination of atoms.
Bonding is accomplished by opening unsaturated bonds between carbon atoms in the molecules.
Example of an Addition Polymerization Reaction using Ethene:
As polymerization continues, more ethene units are incorporated into the structure to form the
polymer polyethylene. The final product may contain thousands of monomers, defined by the
number n.
polyethylene
One or more of the hydrogen atoms in ethene can be replaced by groups such as –F, –Cl, –CH3,
and –COOCH3. By substituting the hydrogen atoms synthetic polymers with trade names such
as Teflon, Saran, and Lucite, or Plexiglas result. By varying the additional components of the
molecule it is possible to create compounds with customized properties.
Table 1: Examples of Common Monomers used in Addition Polymerization
Monomer Monomer Name Polymer Uses
Structure
ethylene polyethylene films, coating for milk cartons, wire
insulation, plastic bags, bottles, toys
vinyl chloride polyvinyl raincoats, pipes, credit cards, bags,
chloride (PVC) floor tiles, shower curtains, garden
hoses, wire insulation, gutters, down
spouts
styrene polystyrene electrical insulation, packing
material, combs
methyl Plexiglas, glass substitutes, paints
methacrylate Lucite
tetrafluoroethylene Teflon gaskets, bearings, insulation, non-
stick pan coatings, chemical resistant
films
Condensation Polymerization Reactions:
Condensation polymerization occurs when the formation of a polymer is accompanied by the
elimination of atoms. For example monomeric units known as amino acids may combine to form
chains known as polypeptides, or very long chains known as proteins. During this process water
is eliminated as a by-product of the reaction.
Example of a Condensation Polymerization using an Amino Acid to Produce a Polypeptide:
Amino acids contain both an amine and a carboxylic acid functional group. When the amine end
of the molecule is joined with the acid end of another molecule, a molecule of water is
eliminated. The process of removing water is sometimes referred to as dehydration synthesis.
The result is a longer molecule made from two amino acids linked by an amide bond. This
particular type of bond is known as a peptide bond. If the reaction continues you form the long
chained molecules known as proteins.
Example of a Condensation Polymerization to Produce Nylon–66:
adipic acid 1,6-diaminohexane
As polymerization continues you would begin to form the polymer Nylon–66
Nylon–66
The combination of two compounds, adipic acid and 1,6-diaminohexane, produce a polymer
known as Nylon–66. When heated the monomer units bond by the formation of an amide
between the two different functional groups. For each new bond formed, one water molecule is
released.
