Polymers - Polymerization PDF

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Polymerization...

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Will Davidson Partner: Ella Buxton Chem 253- TA: Erome Hankore Lab 14: Polymerization

Purpose: To learn through experimentation how various polymerization reactions are performed.

Theory: Polymers are substances whose molecules have high molar mass are composed of a large number of repeating units. There are both naturally occurring and synthetic polymers. Among naturally occurring polymers are proteins, starches, cellulose, and latex. Polymers are composed of monomers which are the individual units that are repeated throughout the polymer. The vast majority of synthetic polymers are derived from petroleum. There are two types of polymers, addition and condensation types. Addition polymers are produced by the successive addition of repeating monomer units. Condensation polymers are formed from monomers that react to split out a small molecule such as water or hydrogen chloride. In this lab methyl methacrylate, nylon 6,10 , polyvinyl, and a glyptal resin will be synthesized. Reaction: Poly(methyl methacrylate) (Plexiglas)

Glyptal Resin Polymer

Nylon 6,10

Polyvinyl Alcohol Gel

Methods/Procedures: This experiment was followed verbatim from the textbook as found on pages 109 through 115. It is also important to know when preparing the methyl methacrylate that it is a corrosive irritant to the skin and eyes. Avoid contact. Benzoyl peroxide is also highly flammable. When preparing the glyptal resin polymer it is important to note that phthalic anhydride is a corrosive irritant. Avoid contact with the skin and do not breathe vapors. Sodium acetate is also an irritant. When preparing the nylon 6, 10 it is important to note that acid chlorides are corrosive and harmful by inhalation and skin absorption. Dichloromethane may be harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin and is a suspected carcinogen. When preparing polyvinyl alcohol it is important to know that Borax is a toxic material. Observations/results: Everything went flawlessly while preforming this experiment. The prepared polyvinyl alcohol slime was very interesting to handle. We were able to create an extremely large strand of nylon and we made a medallion with a quarter by placing it inside of our glyptal resin polymer and then drying it. The one problem we had in this experiment was that it took longer than it should have to harden the methyl methacrylate. Discussion/Conclusion: This experiment went as planned. This experiment did a good job of showing how versatile and useful different types of polymers can be in industry. Exercises: 1. Water is being boiled off in the reaction 2. NaOH raises the pH and prevents the acid from protonating the diamine. 6. Copolymers: poly(methyl methacrylate), glyptal resin polymer, and nylong 6, 10....