IB Chemistry Topic S2.4.5 Addition Polymers Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Chemistry Topic S2.4.5 Addition Polymers Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Addition Polymerization: Building Polymers by Opening Double Bonds

What makes alkenes like ethene ($C_2H_4$) special? The answer lies in their double bonds.
These bonds are highly reactive and can "open up," allowing the monomers to connect and form a polymer. This process is known as addition polymerization.

Definition

Addition polymerization

Addition polymerization is a reaction in which monomers with double or triple bonds join together without forming any by-products, creating a polymer chain.

Example

Monomer: Ethene ($C_2H_4$) contains a C=C double bond.
Polymerization: When the double bond breaks, the two carbon atoms form new single bonds with neighboring monomers.
Polymer: The resulting polymer is polyethene (also called polyethylene), a widely used plastic.
The reaction can be summarized as:

$$
n CH_2=CH_2 \rightarrow (-CH_2-CH_2-)_n
$$

Example

Poly(chloroethene), commonly known as PVC, is formed from the monomer chloroethene ($C_2H_3Cl$).
The polymerization reaction is: $$
n ,\ CH_2=CHCl \, \rightarrow \, (-CH_2-CHCl-)_n
$$
PVC is widely used in pipes, window frames, and electrical insulation due to its strength and durability.

Common Mistake

When drawing the repeating unit of a polymer, students often forget to show the open bonds extending beyond the brackets.
These bonds indicate that the chain continues indefinitely.

Representing the Repeating Unit of a Polymer

Polymers are composed of repeating units, which are derived from their monomers.

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Addition Polymerization: Building Polymers by Opening Double Bonds

What makes alkenes like ethene ($C_2H_4$) special? The answer lies in their double bonds.
These bonds are highly reactive and can "open up," allowing the monomers to connect and form a polymer. This process is known as addition polymerization.

Definition

Addition polymerization

Addition polymerization is a reaction in which monomers with double or triple bonds join together without forming any by-products, creating a polymer chain.

Example

Monomer: Ethene ($C_2H_4$) contains a C=C double bond.
Polymerization: When the double bond breaks, the two carbon atoms form new single bonds with neighboring monomers.
Polymer: The resulting polymer is polyethene (also called polyethylene), a widely used plastic.
The reaction can be summarized as:

$$
n CH_2=CH_2 \rightarrow (-CH_2-CH_2-)_n
$$

Example

Poly(chloroethene), commonly known as PVC, is formed from the monomer chloroethene ($C_2H_3Cl$).
The polymerization reaction is: $$
n ,\ CH_2=CHCl \, \rightarrow \, (-CH_2-CHCl-)_n
$$
PVC is widely used in pipes, window frames, and electrical insulation due to its strength and durability.

Common Mistake

When drawing the repeating unit of a polymer, students often forget to show the open bonds extending beyond the brackets.
These bonds indicate that the chain continues indefinitely.

Representing the Repeating Unit of a Polymer

Polymers are composed of repeating units, which are derived from their monomers.

Definition

Paywall

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

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Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

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Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure4 subtopics

Structure 3. Classification of matter2 subtopics

Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?4 subtopics

Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?3 subtopics

Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?4 subtopics

IB Chemistry S2.4.5 Addition Polymers Notes

Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure4 subtopics

Structure 3. Classification of matter2 subtopics

Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?4 subtopics

Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?3 subtopics

Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?4 subtopics

Addition Polymerization: Building Polymers by Opening Double Bonds

Representing the Repeating Unit of a Polymer

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Addition Polymerization: Building Polymers by Opening Double Bonds

Representing the Repeating Unit of a Polymer

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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