Addition Polymers Addition polymers are formed from alkenes Poly(alkenes) like alkanes are unreactive due to the strong C-C and C-H bonds C C H H CH3 H propene n poly(propene) C C C C C C CH3 H H H CH3 H H H CH3 H H H be able to recognise the repeating unit in a poly(alkene) Poly(propene) is recycled This is called addition polymerisation Add the n’s if writing an equation showing the reaction where ‘n’ monomers become ‘n’ repeating units n C C H CH3 H H H3C CH CH CH3 H3C C C CH3 H You should be able H to draw the polymer repeating unit for any alkene It is best to first draw out the monomer with groups of atoms arranged around the double bond e.g. For but-2-ene C C CH3 H H CH3 Industrial importance of alkenes The formation of polymers from ethene based monomers is a major use of alkenes. The manufacture of margarine by catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils using hydrogen and a nickel catalyst is another important industrial process. Liquid vegetable oils are generally polyunsaturated alkenes. Hydrogenation by the reaction of hydrogen using a nickel catalyst converts the double bonds to saturated single bonds. This increases the melting point of the oil making it harder and more solid. Waste polymers can be processed in several ways. Separation and recycling The waste is sorted into each different type of polymer (ie PTFE, PVC, PET) and then each type can be recycled by melting and remoulding. Combustion for energy production Waste polymers can be incinerated and the heat released can be used to generate electricity. Combustion of halogenated plastics (ie PVC) can lead to the formation of toxic, acidic waste products such as HCl. Chemists can minimise the environmental damage of this by removing the HCl fumes formed from the combustion process. Feedstock for Cracking Waste polymers can be used as a feedstock for the cracking process allowing for the new production of plastics and other chemicals. Chemists have also been developing a range of biodegradable polymers, compostable polymers, soluble polymers and photodegradable polymers. Dealing with waste polymers Polymers formed from isoprene (2-methyl-1,3- butadiene), maize and starch are biodegradable
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4.1.3 Alkenes
Polymers from alkenes (j) addition polymerisation of alkenes and substituted alkenes, including: (i) the repeat unit of an addition polymer deduced from a given monomer (ii) identification of the monomer that would produce a given section of an addition polymer. Waste polymers and alternatives (k) the benefits for sustainability of processing waste polymers by: (i) combustion for energy production (ii) use as an organic feedstock for the production of plastics and other organic chemicals (iii) removal of toxic waste products, e.g. removal of HCl formed during disposal by combustion of halogenated plastics (e.g. PVC) HSW9,10 Benefits of cheap oil-derived plastics counteracted by problems for environment of landfill; the move to re-using waste, improving use of resources. (l) the benefits to the environment of development of biodegradable and photodegradable polymers. HSW9,10 Benefits of reduced dependency on finite resources and alleviating problems from disposal of persistent plastic waste.