Important Polymers Formulas for JEE and NEET

 Page 1


?  Points to remember in Polymers
Biodegradable Polymers :
A large number of polymers are quite resistant to the environmental degra-
dation processes and are thus responsible for the accumulation of poly-
meric soild waste materials. These soild wastes cause acute environ-
mental problems and remain undegraded for quite a long time. In view of
the general awareness and concern for the problems created by the poly-
meric soild wastes, certain new biodegradable synthetic polymers have
been designed and developed. These polymers contain functional groups
similar to the functional groups present in biopolymers.
Aliphatic polyesters are one of the important classes of biodegradable
poylmers. Some examples are given below :
(a) Poly ?-hydroxybutyrate – co– ?-hydroxy valerate (PHBV) :
It is obtained by the copolymerisation of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid
and 3-hydroxypentanoic acid.
) acid oic tan Hydroxybu 3 (
COOH CH CH CH
|
OH
2 3
?
? ? ?
 + 
) acid oic tan Hydroxypen 3 (
COOH CH CH CH CH
|
OH
2 2 3
?
? ? ? ?
? ? ?
 
PHBV is used in speciality packaging, orthopaedic devices and in
controlled release of drugs. PHBV undergoes bacterial degradation in the
environment.
(b) Nylon–2–nylon–6 :
It is an alternating polyamide copolymer of glycine (H
2
N–CH
2
–COOH)
and amino caproic acid
(H
2
N(CH
2
)
5
COOH) and it is also biodegradable polymer.
 
nH 2N–CH 2–COOH + nH 2N–(CH 2 ) 5 –COOH 
 
—NH–CH
2
–CO–NH–(CH
2
)
5
–CO— 
n 
Page 2


?  Points to remember in Polymers
Biodegradable Polymers :
A large number of polymers are quite resistant to the environmental degra-
dation processes and are thus responsible for the accumulation of poly-
meric soild waste materials. These soild wastes cause acute environ-
mental problems and remain undegraded for quite a long time. In view of
the general awareness and concern for the problems created by the poly-
meric soild wastes, certain new biodegradable synthetic polymers have
been designed and developed. These polymers contain functional groups
similar to the functional groups present in biopolymers.
Aliphatic polyesters are one of the important classes of biodegradable
poylmers. Some examples are given below :
(a) Poly ?-hydroxybutyrate – co– ?-hydroxy valerate (PHBV) :
It is obtained by the copolymerisation of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid
and 3-hydroxypentanoic acid.
) acid oic tan Hydroxybu 3 (
COOH CH CH CH
|
OH
2 3
?
? ? ?
 + 
) acid oic tan Hydroxypen 3 (
COOH CH CH CH CH
|
OH
2 2 3
?
? ? ? ?
? ? ?
 
PHBV is used in speciality packaging, orthopaedic devices and in
controlled release of drugs. PHBV undergoes bacterial degradation in the
environment.
(b) Nylon–2–nylon–6 :
It is an alternating polyamide copolymer of glycine (H
2
N–CH
2
–COOH)
and amino caproic acid
(H
2
N(CH
2
)
5
COOH) and it is also biodegradable polymer.
 
nH 2N–CH 2–COOH + nH 2N–(CH 2 ) 5 –COOH 
 
—NH–CH
2
–CO–NH–(CH
2
)
5
–CO— 
n 
  
Some common addition polymers/chain growth polymer 
S. 
No. 
Name(s) Formula Monomer  Uses 
1. 
Polyethylene 
(low density (LDPE)) 
?(CH
2
-CH
2
)
n
? 
CH
2
=CH
2 
(ethylene) 
Film wrap, 
Plastic Bags 
2. 
Polyethylene 
(high density (HDPE)) 
?(CH
2
-CH
2
)
n
? 
CH 2 =CH 2 
(ethylene) 
Electrical 
insulation bottles, 
toys 
3. 
Polypropylene 
(PP) different grades  CH CH
2
CH
3
n
 
CH
2
=CHCH
3
 
(propylene) 
Manufacture of 
ropes, toys, 
pipes, fibres etc. 
4. Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) 
CH CH
2
Cl
n
 
CH
2
=CHCl 
(vinyl chloride) 
Manufacture of 
rain coats, hand 
bags, vinyl 
flooring, water 
Pipes etc. 
5. 
Poly vinylidene chloride 
(Saran A) 
C C H
2
C l
C l
n
 
CH
2
=CCl
2
 
(vinylidene chloride) 
Seat covers, 
films & fibers 
6. 
Polystyrene  
(Styron) 
CH
2
CH
n
 
CH
2
=CHC
6
H
5 
(styrene) 
As insulator,  
wrapping 
material,  
manufactures of  
toys, radio and  
Television 
cabinets 
7. 
Polyacrylonitrile 
(PAN, Orlon, Acrilan) 
 CN 
?CH?CH
2
? 
n
 
CH
2
=CHCN 
(acrylonitrile) 
Rugs, Blankets 
clothing 
8. 
Polytetrafluoroethylene 
(PTFE, Teflon) 
?(CF
2
-CF
2
)
n
? 
CF
2
=CF
2
 
(tetrafluoroethylene) 
Non-stick 
surfaces 
electrical 
insulation 
9. 
Poly methyl methacrylate 
(PMMA, Lucite, Plexiglas, 
perspex) 
?[CH
2
C(CH
3
)CO
2
CH
3
]
n
? 
CH
2
=C(CH
3
)CO
2
CH
3
 
(methylmethacrylate) 
Lighting covers, 
signs 
skylights 
10. 
Poly vinyl acetate 
(PVAc) 
?(CH
2
-CHOCOCH
3
)
n
? 
CH
2
=CHOCOCH
3 
(vinyl acetate) 
Latex paints, 
Adhesives 
11. Natural Rubber 
?[CH
2
-CH=C(CH
3
)-CH
2
]
n
? 
               (cis) 
CH
2
=CH?C(CH
3
)=CH
2 
(isoprene) 
Requires 
vulcanization for 
practical use 
12. Neoprene ?[CH
2
-CH=CCl-CH
2
]
n
? 
CH
2
=CH-CCl=CH
2 
(chloroprene) 
Synthetic rubber, 
oil resistant seal, 
gaskets, hoses & 
conveyor belts   
13. 
SBR styrene butadiene 
rubber (Buna-S) 
 
 
Ph 
-[CH 2 -CH-CH 2 -CH=CH-CH 2 ]- 
 
H
2
C=CHC
6
H
5 
and
 
H 2 C=CH-CH=CH 2 
Tyres, floortiles,  
foot wear & cable 
insulation 
14. Nitrile Rubber (Buna-N) 
 
 
CN 
-[CH
2
-CH-CH
2
-CH=CH-CH
2
]- 
 
H
2
C=CHCN and 
H
2
C=CH-CH=CH
2
 
Making oil seals,  
tank lining and  
hoses 
 
Page 3


?  Points to remember in Polymers
Biodegradable Polymers :
A large number of polymers are quite resistant to the environmental degra-
dation processes and are thus responsible for the accumulation of poly-
meric soild waste materials. These soild wastes cause acute environ-
mental problems and remain undegraded for quite a long time. In view of
the general awareness and concern for the problems created by the poly-
meric soild wastes, certain new biodegradable synthetic polymers have
been designed and developed. These polymers contain functional groups
similar to the functional groups present in biopolymers.
Aliphatic polyesters are one of the important classes of biodegradable
poylmers. Some examples are given below :
(a) Poly ?-hydroxybutyrate – co– ?-hydroxy valerate (PHBV) :
It is obtained by the copolymerisation of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid
and 3-hydroxypentanoic acid.
) acid oic tan Hydroxybu 3 (
COOH CH CH CH
|
OH
2 3
?
? ? ?
 + 
) acid oic tan Hydroxypen 3 (
COOH CH CH CH CH
|
OH
2 2 3
?
? ? ? ?
? ? ?
 
PHBV is used in speciality packaging, orthopaedic devices and in
controlled release of drugs. PHBV undergoes bacterial degradation in the
environment.
(b) Nylon–2–nylon–6 :
It is an alternating polyamide copolymer of glycine (H
2
N–CH
2
–COOH)
and amino caproic acid
(H
2
N(CH
2
)
5
COOH) and it is also biodegradable polymer.
 
nH 2N–CH 2–COOH + nH 2N–(CH 2 ) 5 –COOH 
 
—NH–CH
2
–CO–NH–(CH
2
)
5
–CO— 
n 
  
Some common addition polymers/chain growth polymer 
S. 
No. 
Name(s) Formula Monomer  Uses 
1. 
Polyethylene 
(low density (LDPE)) 
?(CH
2
-CH
2
)
n
? 
CH
2
=CH
2 
(ethylene) 
Film wrap, 
Plastic Bags 
2. 
Polyethylene 
(high density (HDPE)) 
?(CH
2
-CH
2
)
n
? 
CH 2 =CH 2 
(ethylene) 
Electrical 
insulation bottles, 
toys 
3. 
Polypropylene 
(PP) different grades  CH CH
2
CH
3
n
 
CH
2
=CHCH
3
 
(propylene) 
Manufacture of 
ropes, toys, 
pipes, fibres etc. 
4. Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) 
CH CH
2
Cl
n
 
CH
2
=CHCl 
(vinyl chloride) 
Manufacture of 
rain coats, hand 
bags, vinyl 
flooring, water 
Pipes etc. 
5. 
Poly vinylidene chloride 
(Saran A) 
C C H
2
C l
C l
n
 
CH
2
=CCl
2
 
(vinylidene chloride) 
Seat covers, 
films & fibers 
6. 
Polystyrene  
(Styron) 
CH
2
CH
n
 
CH
2
=CHC
6
H
5 
(styrene) 
As insulator,  
wrapping 
material,  
manufactures of  
toys, radio and  
Television 
cabinets 
7. 
Polyacrylonitrile 
(PAN, Orlon, Acrilan) 
 CN 
?CH?CH
2
? 
n
 
CH
2
=CHCN 
(acrylonitrile) 
Rugs, Blankets 
clothing 
8. 
Polytetrafluoroethylene 
(PTFE, Teflon) 
?(CF
2
-CF
2
)
n
? 
CF
2
=CF
2
 
(tetrafluoroethylene) 
Non-stick 
surfaces 
electrical 
insulation 
9. 
Poly methyl methacrylate 
(PMMA, Lucite, Plexiglas, 
perspex) 
?[CH
2
C(CH
3
)CO
2
CH
3
]
n
? 
CH
2
=C(CH
3
)CO
2
CH
3
 
(methylmethacrylate) 
Lighting covers, 
signs 
skylights 
10. 
Poly vinyl acetate 
(PVAc) 
?(CH
2
-CHOCOCH
3
)
n
? 
CH
2
=CHOCOCH
3 
(vinyl acetate) 
Latex paints, 
Adhesives 
11. Natural Rubber 
?[CH
2
-CH=C(CH
3
)-CH
2
]
n
? 
               (cis) 
CH
2
=CH?C(CH
3
)=CH
2 
(isoprene) 
Requires 
vulcanization for 
practical use 
12. Neoprene ?[CH
2
-CH=CCl-CH
2
]
n
? 
CH
2
=CH-CCl=CH
2 
(chloroprene) 
Synthetic rubber, 
oil resistant seal, 
gaskets, hoses & 
conveyor belts   
13. 
SBR styrene butadiene 
rubber (Buna-S) 
 
 
Ph 
-[CH 2 -CH-CH 2 -CH=CH-CH 2 ]- 
 
H
2
C=CHC
6
H
5 
and
 
H 2 C=CH-CH=CH 2 
Tyres, floortiles,  
foot wear & cable 
insulation 
14. Nitrile Rubber (Buna-N) 
 
 
CN 
-[CH
2
-CH-CH
2
-CH=CH-CH
2
]- 
 
H
2
C=CHCN and 
H
2
C=CH-CH=CH
2
 
Making oil seals,  
tank lining and  
hoses 
 
  
Some condensation polymers/step growth polymers 
S. 
Name(s) Formula Monomer Uses 
1. 
Polyester/Dacron/ 
Terylene/Mylar 
 
O O 
O
O 
n 
 
HO 2C C 6H 4 CO 2H 
(Terephthalic acid) 
HO?CH 2CH 2?OH 
Ethylene glycol 
Fabric, Tyrecord 
2. 
Glyptal or Alkyds 
resin 
 
O?CH
2
?CH
2
?O?C 
n
C 
O O 
 
HO 2C?C 6H 4?CO 2H 
(Phthalic acid) 
HO?CH 2CH 2?OH 
Paints and  
Lacquers  
3. 
Polyamide 
(Nylon 6,6) 
~[CO(CH 2) 4CO?NH(CH 2) 6NH] n~ 
HO 2C?(CH 2) 4?CO 2H 
H 2N?(CH 2) 6?NH 2 
Parachutes 
& Clothing 
4. Nylon 6,10 
 
?C?(CH
2
)
6
)?C?NH?(CH
2
)
6
?NH? 
O O
( ) 
n 
 
HOOC?(CH 2) 8?COOH 
H 2N?(CH 2) 6?NH 2 
 
5. 
Polyamide  
Nylon 6,  
Perlon-L 
~[CO(CH 2) 5NH] n~ 
 
O 
NH 
 
Rope & Tyrecord 
6. Bakelite 
 O?H 
CH 2 
O?H 
CH 2 
n 
 
PhOH + HCHO in (excess) 
Electrical  
Switch, combs,  
Handle of  
Utensils,   
computer  
discs and  
Bowling Balls  
7. 
Urea-formaldehyle  
resin 
(?NH?CO?NH?CH 2?) n 
H 2N?CO?NH 2 (Urea) 
HCHO (Formaldehyde) 
Making  
unbreakable  
cups and  
laminated sheets. 
8. 
Melamine 
formaldehyde 
resin 
 
HN 
N 
N N 
NH 
HN?CH 2? 
n 
 
 H 2 N N 
N N 
NH 2 
NH 2 
(melamine)
+HCHO 
(formaldehyde) 
Unbreakabl 
e crockery 
9. 
Polyamide  
Kevlar 
 
O 
n 
N 
H
O 
N 
H 
 
Para HO 2C?C 6H 4?CO 2H Tyre 
10. Polyamide Nomex 
 
O 
n 
O 
N 
H 
N 
H 
 
Meta HO 2C?C 6H 4?CO 2H 
Meta H 2N?C 6H 4?NH 2 
 
11. 
Polyurethane 
Spandex 
 
O 
n 
N 
H 
O 
O?(CH 2 ) 2?O 
N 
H 
CH 3 
 
HOCH 2CH 2OH 
 
H 3 C 
N 
C 
O 
N 
C 
O 
 
Foams, Shoes,  
Automobile  
seats and  
components 
12. 
Polycarbonate 
Lexan 
 
O 
n 
C 
CH 3 
CH 3 
O?C 
O 
 
(HO?C 6H 4?) 2C(CH 3) 2 
(Bisphenol A) 
X 2C=O (X = OCH 3 or Cl) 
Bike helmet, 
goggles, bullet 
proof glass