GCSE Chemistry (AQA)

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Addition Polymerisation

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Organic chemistry Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

Addition Polymerisation

10:10 Formation of Polymers
Spec 4.7.3.1
Previous Reactions of Carboxylic acids Next Condensation Polymerisation
  • Polymerization reactions involve many small molecules, called monomers, joining together to form large molecules known as polymers.
  • Monomers are single units, derived from the Greek words "mono" (one) and "mero" (part).
  • Polymers are large molecules with long chains, derived from the Greek word "poly" (many).
  • Addition polymerization is a specific process where monomers are added together to form a polymer without losing any atoms.
  • Ethene, a hydrocarbon with a double bond between two carbons, can undergo addition polymerization to form polyethene.
  • In addition polymerization, the double bonds in monomers open up and join to form a long chain.
  • The structural formula of monomers shows the carbon-carbon double bonds clearly.
  • A repeating unit can represent a polymer, showing the repetitive nature of the polymer chain.
  • The repeating unit is the monomer with the double bond changed to a single bond.
  • In addition polymerization, no atoms are lost or gained from other sources than the monomer.
  • Addition polymers can be recognized by the presence of the C=C functional group in the monomer.
  • Simplified diagrams are used to represent larger alkenes like propene in addition polymerization.
  • The repeating unit is based on the monomer, with a single bond replacing the double bond.
  • The polymer is named by adding "poly" to the name of the monomer, e.g., polypropylene from propene.
  • For butene, the repeating unit would have a C2H5 group instead of a CH3 group.

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