Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 20.5
Commercial Polymers Related to Polyethylene
Name and Formula
of Monomer
Polymer
Use
Ethylene,
CH
2
“
CH
2
Polyethylene
Wrapping film
Propylene,
CH
3
CH
“
CH
2
Polypropylene
Wrapping film
Vinyl chloride,
CH
2
“
CHCl
Polyvinylchloride
Raincoats, bottles
(PVC)
Styrene,
C
6
H
5
CH
“
CH
2
Polystyrene
Molded plastic insulation
Tetrafluoroethylene,
CF
2
“
CF
2
Teflon
Chemical- and heat-
resistant plastics
Several commercial polymers are related to polyethylene (Table 20.5). For
example, fluorinated polymers, such as Teflon, are familiar commercial products.
Having fluorine atoms in place of all the hydrogen atoms makes the polymer
nonflammable and much more resistant to oxidation and thermal decomposition.
Snapshot Review
❒
The functional groups of compounds with more than one functional
group behave rather independently of one another. Reactions of two
or more functional groups on each molecule can yield very long chain
products, upward of 100,000 or more.
ChemSkill Builder
25.1, 25.2, 25.3
A. What other type of compound is required to react with a dialcohol to
yield a polyester?
B. If we wanted to experiment to make a polyamide, what type of monomer
or monomers should we use?
20.5
Foods
Fats
Fats
are triesters of the trialcohol glycerine:
H
C
C
C
H
HO±±H
HO±±H
HO±±H
Glycerine, or glycerol
A trialcohol
The radicals of acid molecules that react with glycerine to make animal fats
have long chains of carbon atoms. Perhaps most typical of these so-called fatty
