PolymersPolymers

Polymers

polymermonomer

homo

Jaffe, New World of Chemistry, 1955, page 603

chain

copolymer

monomer

PolymerizationPolymerization

Polymers = Monomer + Monomer + …

Synthetic Polymers– Nylon– “plastics”– Vulcanized rubber

Natural Polymers– Silk– Proteins (amino acids)– Starch (sugars)

PolymersPolymers

Ethene (ethylene)

Chloroethene(vinyl chloride)

Polyethylene

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Plastic bottles, film,insulation material

Plastic pipes andtubing, gardenhoses, garbage bags

H2C = CH2 – CH2 – CH2 – CH2 – CH2 –

H2C = CH

Cl

– CH2 – CH – CH2 – CH –

Cl Cl

PolymersPolymers

Teflon

Tetrafluoroethene

Ski and hikingclothing, carpets,artificial joints

Nonstick coatings

Propene (propylene)

CH3CH = CH2 – CH2 – CH – CH2 – CH – Polypropylene

CH3 CH3

F – C = C – F

FF

– C – C – C – C –

FF FF

FF FF

PolymersPolymers

Polystyrene

Plastic filmand wrap

Plastic coffeecups and cartons,insulation

Phenylethene

H2C = CH – CH2 – CH – CH2 – CH –

1,1 Dichloroethene

H2C = C – Cl

Cl – CH2 – C – CH2 – C –

Saran

Cl Cl

Cl Cl

SlimeSlime

PVA + PVA + PVA

– With cross-linking agent(borax solution)