1. Macromolecules
Synthetic Polymers

2. Macromolecules
s Macromolecules are large molecules
built up from many small repeating
units (monomers) joined together by
covalent bonding
s Different macromolecules are made up
of different units and/or different
linkages
s Generally, 2 types of macromolecules –
synthetic and natural

3. Definitions
s A monomer is a small molecule that may be
covalently bonded to other monomers to
form a polymer
s A polymer is the macromolecule formed
when monomers are covalently bonded to
form a long chain of molecule
s Polymerisation is the process whereby a
large number of small molecules
(monomers) join together to form a
macromolecule

4. Synthetic polymers
s Polyethene
s Polyvinyl chloride
s Teflon
s Polystyrene
s Perspex
s Nylon
s Terylene

5. Addition Polymerisation
s Addition polymerisation occurs when
monomer units join together by
breaking double or triple bonds without
losing any molecules or atoms
s Eg. Alkenes undergo addition
polymerisation whereby the double
bonds in alkenes are changed to single
bonds

6. Formation of polyethene
from ethene
n can be between 10 000 and 30 000

7. More addition polymers
Name & formula of Name & formula of
monomer polymer
Propene Polypropene
Chloroethene Polychloroethene
(vinyl chloride) Polyvinyl chloride
Tetrafluoroethene Polytetrafluoroethene
Teflon
Phenylethene Polyphenylethene
Styrene Polystyrene

8. Condensation
Polymerisation
s Condensation polymerisation occurs
when monomer units join together by
eliminating a small molecule, like water,
to produce a polymer
s 2 main types of condensation polymers
– polyamides and polyesters

9. Formation of Nylon
s Made from dicarboxylic acid and
diamine
H-O O-H H H
AMIDE LINKAGE –CONH –

10. Formation of Terylene
s Made from dicarboxylic acid and diol
s Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and
ethane-1,2-diol
H-O O-H H H
ESTER LINKAGE –COO –

11. Uses of synthetic
polymers
Name Uses
Polyethene To make plastic bags, cling film
Nylon To make clothing, fishing line,
parachutes
Terylene To make clothing
PVC To make insulator for cables,
plastic raincoats
Polystyrene To make polystyrene disposable
boxes, light-weight packaging
Teflon For coating cooking utensils

12. Pollution caused by non-
biodegradable plastics
s Plastics are relatively cheap, easily
shaped
s Light, tough, waterproof and durable
s However, cannot be decomposed by
bacteria in the soil
s Disposal usually by burning, and
possibly produce poisonous gases
s Biodegradable plastics are required to
solve the problems

13. Macromolecules
Natural Macromolecules

14. Examples of natural
macromolecules
s Proteins
s Fats
s Carbohydrates
s They are the main constituents of food
but with different units

15. Proteins
s Built up from units
of amino acids
s Proteins have the
same amide linkages
as nylon but with
different units

16. Fats and Oils
s Built up from glycerol and long-chain
carboxylic acids (fatty acids)
s Fats are esters possessing the same
ester linkages as Terylene but with
different units