Polymer Synthesis Report

Polymer synthesis.
Final report.
Submitted to:
The faculty of the school of chemistry
Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.
By:
Charles McAnany
May 2, 2007
McAnany 2
Abstract:
Polymers are a very important aspect of our life; they provide easy materials to work with
that are resistant to many forms of attack. All plastics are polymers, as are most fabrics.
An understanding of polymer chemistry will allow a person to contribute to this
enormous field by designing polymers that have desirable properties.
Polymers are chains of molecules made of similar repeating subunits called monomers.
Monomers are molecules of low molecular weight that have reactive or excitable ends
that will form bonds with other monomers. It is the monomer that ultimately determines
the properties of a polymer; even a slight variation in the properties of a monomer can
greatly affect the properties of its polymer.
Of particular interest, both commercially and biologically, is condensation
polymerization. Condensation polymerization is the name given to reactions that form
polymers by “dehydrating” the monomers. Condensation polymerization is responsible
for all biological polymers, and requires far less exotic conditions than other types of
polymerization reactions, such as addition reactions.
This research was conducted to better understand the relation of the size of the monomer
to the properties of the polymer in polyamids, which are better known by the trade name,
nylon. Nylons are named for the length of the carbon chains that make them up.
Nine different nylons were synthesized: nylon 6-6, nylon 6-8, nylon 6-10, nylon 8-6,
nylon 8-8, nylon 8-10, nylon 10-6, nylon 10-8, and nylon 10-10.
The properties of these polymers were studied, and measurements were taken for density
and tensile strength of the polymers.

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The results showed that, overall, the smaller carbon chains yield stronger polymers, and
that large diamines (one of the monomers) are not effective.

McAnany 4
Introduction:
Polymerization is the process of reacting small molecules called monomers in such a way
that they form chains, called polymers. Polymers are very useful materials. Depending on
the structure of the monomer units, the length of the polymer chains, and other factors
such as branching of the chains, the properties of the polymer can vary from a brittle
plastic that melts in hot water, like wax, or a rubbery, malleable material that will not
melt at all. The range of properties makes polymers suitable for numerous common
applications. They are often formed into filaments, as their chain-like structure gives
them great structural integrity, and, hence, tensile strength. Certain polymers, notably
aramids, are strong enough to stop a bullet. Kevlar, for example, is a woven aramid.
Polymerization reactions are usually lumped into two categories, free radical
polymerization and condensation polymerization. Free radical polymerization occurs
when double bonds in a monomer break, leaving an electron that will form a covalent
bond with an adjacent monomer unit.
An example of free radical polymerization is the polymerization of
polytetrafluoroethylene, better known as Teflon. The monomer in this reaction is
tetrafluoroethylene, F2C=CF2. During the polymerization reaction, the double bond in the
molecule breaks, leaving electrons on both ends. The molecule at this stage is drawn as:
.
F2C-CF2., where the dots on the end represent free electrons. If the radical comes into
contact with another tetrafluoroethylene monomer, the loose electrons will excite it, and
its double bond will break, yielding two radicals. The electrons on the ends of these
radicals merge to form a single bond, yielding, .F2C-CF2-F2C-CF2.. The ends of the
molecules are still radicals, so the reaction can continue.
In order for a condensation reaction to occur, the reagents must exhibit acidic or basic
properties. An example of condensation polymerization is the formation of nylon 6-10. In
this reaction, there are two monomers, 1,6-diaminohexane and sebacic acid. Their
structural formulae are, accordingly, H2N(CH2)6NH2 and HOOC(CH2)8COOH. A
hydroxyl group from the acid and a hydrogen from the amine join together and form
water, leaving what are effectively radicals of the monomers. The CO and NH join
together to form an amid bond, COHN, and the two monomers are joined as
H2N(CH2)6NHOC(CH2)8COOH. The reaction can continue at the ends of the molecule. In
the research done here, the sebacic acid has been replaced with sebacoyl chloride, which
has ClOC as its functional group instead of HOOC. This substitution encourages the
reaction, and allows it to proceed under normal conditions. Usually, when using the
HOOC functional group, the reagents are heated to over 100o so that the water produced
boils off and the Le Chatelier principle drives the reaction to the right, to produce more
water.
The goal of the project is to analyze the effects of changing the length of the monomers in
polyamids. Nine polymers were synthesized, nylon 6-6, nylon 6-8, nylon 6-10, nylon 8-6,
nylon 8-8, nylon 8-10, nylon 10-6, nylon 10-8, and nylon 10-10. The polymers were
examined and tested for tensile strength and density. Unfortunately, some of the
polymers, notably the 10-n polyamids, were uncooperative, and no data could be taken.
McAnany 5
Method:
The official procedure follows:
Materials:
Hexane.
Water.
Adipoyl chloride.
Suberoyl chloride.
Sebacoyl chloride.
1,6, hexanediamine.
1,8 octanediamine
1,10 decanediamine
Equipment:
Beaker, 50 ml. (4)
Buchner funnel.
Filter paper to fit funnel. (20 sheets)
Side-arm flask.
Stopper for side arm flask.
Glass stirring rod. (2)
Vacuum tubing.
Petri dishes. (5)
Stir plate, bars.
Graduated cylinder. (3)
Volumetric flask, 25 ml or 50 ml.
Wash bottle.
Vials for storage of the polymers synthesized.
Labels.
Safety considerations:
Acyl chlorides fume HCl, so only use them under a fume hood.
Always safely dispose of unused solutions.
Wear gloves and safety glasses.
Procedure:
1. Obtain all materials and equipment.
2. Create the solutions of the amines.
3. Hexanediamine: 3.26 ml molten hexanediamine and water to 50 ml, or 1.63 ml
molten hexanediamine and water to 25 ml.
4. Octanediamine: 3.61 g and water to 50 ml or 1.80 g and water to 25 ml.
5. Decanediamine: 4.31 g and water to 50 ml or 2.15 g and water to 25 ml.
6. Label them.
7. Create the solutions of the acyl chlorides.
8. Note: the finished solutions are all 50 or 25 ml. Add the hexane until the solution
reaches the desired volume.
9. Sebacoyl chloride: 5.33 ml chloride and hexane to 50 ml or 2.66 ml chloride and
hexane to 25 ml.
McAnany 6
10. Adipoyl chloride: 3.63 ml chloride and hexane to 50 ml, or 1.81 ml and hexane to 25
ml.
11. Suberoyl chloride: 4.50 ml chloride to 50 ml hexane, or 2.25 ml to 25 ml hexane.
12. Label these solutions.
13. Synthesize the nylons by pouring the amine solution in a beaker and then slowly
adding the acyl chloride.
14. If the solution produces a strand of nylon, remove it with a stirring rod.
15. If the solution fails to produce a strand, mix it with a stirring rod and wait for a
polymer to form as a precipitate.
16. Note the style and rate of polymerization.
17. After the solution has stopped producing nylon, scrape the nylon off the rod or pour
the beaker containing the nylon into the Buchner funnel.
18. Activate the aspirator, and wait until the nylon is not sopping wet. Now, squirt the
nylon with a wash bottle. This will remove the aqueous components of the solution.
(Unreacted diamine, HCl, etc.)
19. After several rounds of squirting, turn off the aspirator and dump the filtered solution
into an appropriate waste container. Save the polymer that was filtered in a weigh
dish.
20. Add a small amount of water to the side-arm flask, enough to fill it up ¼ of the way.
21. Place the filtered nylon in the flask, and stopper it.
22. Activate the aspirator and allow the hexane in the nylon to boil off. This will also help
loosen up the nylon threads.
23. Pour everything in the flask into another beaker, and re-attach the Buchner funnel.
24. Filter the boiled nylon and wait until it’s dry.
25. Dispose of all garbage and place the nylon in a vial and label it.
26. Repeat this process with the other acyl chlorides and amines and make sure that
everything is labeled.
27. After the polymers have been synthesized, place the vials in a dark, damp place.
Analysis procedure:
Purpose: to begin accumulating data on the properties of the different nylons.
Materials: nylons synthesized above.
Equipment:
Beakers, 50 ml.
Fume hood.
Labels.
Scale. (to .001g)
Tensile testing apparatus
Accurate graduated cylinders.
Tweezers.
Tongs.
Calipers.
Nice microscope.
Slides, coverslips.
Digital camera
McAnany 7
Safety: wear gloves and goggles.
Procedure:
Weight of the monomers:

These data should be found on the side of the reagent bottles. Record them.
Density of the polymer:

Firstly, make sure the polymer sample you’re using has been very thoroughly washed and
boiled.
Allow the polymer sample to dry overnight.
Compress it into a convenient geometric shape.
Measure, using calipers, the dimensions of the polymer. Be sure to record the units, some
calipers measure in inches.
Calculate the volume of the polymer sample.
Measure the mass of the polymer using the scale.
Microscopic analysis:
Firstly, create a slide of the polymer using water as the fixative. (Adhesives may interfere
with the results.) The sample used should be a piece of the strand cut from the middle.
Place the sample in a microscope and adjust the focus.
Now put a camera on the eyepiece, and make sure that you can see the sample in the
viewfinder.
Take the picture, silly.
Now take a picture of the name of the polymer, for example, a label on a bottle.
Record the shape of the edges, the end of the strand, appearance of crystals, irregularities,
and general shape of the polymer.
Rate of polymerization:
This is a simple measurement taken during the synthesis.
If the polymer takes a while to form, make a note of this.
Shape of polymer:
Immediately after the polymer is synthesized, observe the shape of the polymer. After
washing and handling the polymer may become distorted, so this is the only time it can
be done.
Record the shape.
McAnany 8
Tensile strength:
If possible, send the polymers, clearly labeled, to a laboratory capable of analyzing the
tensile strength.
If no lab exists, use the following apparatus to test the tensile strength.
Bar clamp
Spring.
Strand.
Meter stick
Set up the experiment as in the diagram, with the strand dangling from the spring. Simply
wrap the strand around the end of the spring, and it should stick there.
Measure the length of the spring using the meter stick, record it.
Slowly and carefully wrap the other end of the strand, (the one that’s dangling) around
your finger, do not pinch it.
Gently pull down on the strand and keep your eye on the length of the spring.
Keep a mental count of the spring’s length, as it will return to its initial length when the
strand snaps.
When the strand snaps, record the final length of the spring, and use the equation:
Ftobreak = K ( H f − H O )
Where K is the spring constant, which should be previously determined, H(f) is the final
length of the spring, and H(o) is the initial length of the spring.
When choosing a spring, try to keep the spring constant low. 10-20N/M is ideal.
Malleability:
This is a very qualitative test, simply attempt to squish the polymer. Record any
observations.
McAnany 9
Opacity:
Look at the polymer. If you can see through it, record this. If not, record that.
McAnany 10
Results:
Data for nylon 6-6:

Weight of acyl chloride 183.03
Weight of amine 116.2
(density test) mass of blob .022
Volume of blob
Density of blob .359 g/cm3
Notes from microscopic analysis. (Attach picture to back of report with a label.)
The nylon formed a sheet,
which was pulled out as a
pleated strand.. Shown are the
entire strand and a piece of the
pulled sheet that was cut from
the strand.
Rate of polymerization Instantaneous
Shape of polymer Strand, thick.
Force required to break strand .054 N
Malleability Silky, bends easily.
Opacity Rather opaque.
Data for nylon 6-8:

Volume of blob
The polymer formed more
strands, unlike the 6-6, which
formed sheets. The strands bent
at points, and not in a continuous
arc.
Rate of polymerization Instantaneous

Shape of polymer Strand
Malleability Less malleable than 6-6, still very
malleable.
Opacity Translucent.
Data for nylon 6-10:
McAnany 11

Volume of blob
The strand was notably thinner, and did not fray like the 6-8. It also bent more smoothly,
and was covered with very small bubbles.
Rate of polymerization Instantaneous.
Malleability Between 6-6 and 6-8.
Opacity Clear when thin.
Data for nylon 8-6:

(density test) mass of blob
Volume of blob
Density of blob
The polymer stuck to the weighing dish, and was unrecoverable. No microscopic analysis
was possible.
Rate of polymerization Fast.

Shape of polymer Sheet, not strand.
Force required to break strand No strand.
Malleability Same as 6-8.
Opacity Opaque.
Data for nylon 8-8:

McAnany 12

Volume of blob
This sample had no interesting characteristics
microscopically.
Rate of polymerization Fast

Malleability Breaks then bends.
Opacity Very opaque.

Volume of blob
Like the 8-8, the 8-10 had no interesting characteristics.
Rate of polymerization Fast.

Shape of polymer Strand.
Malleability Fragile, breaks, then bends.
Opacity Extremely opaque.

Volume of blob
Density of blob
McAnany 13
Notes from microscopic analysis. (Attach picture to back of

report with a label.)
This polymer produced very little product, and virtually none
of it was in the form of a strand. Interestingly, the tiny strand
that was produced (in the picture) was very malleable. It was
also very opaque.
Rate of polymerization Slow, does not go very far.
Shape of polymer Dust, occasional strand.
Force required to break strand 0N
Malleability Like 6-6.
Opacity No light transmission.

Volume of blob
Density of blob
Notes from microscopic analysis. (Attach picture
to back of report with a label.)
The polymer formed as a
dust, although there was a
significant amount
produced. Pictured here is a very small piece of the
polymer that formed as a sheet. Additionally, black
specks were found in the polymer, their origin is
unknown.
Rate of polymerization Faster than 10-6.
Shape of polymer Dust.
Force required to break strand
Malleability
Opacity No transmission, retsin.
Volume of blob
The polymer formed a slab, which was too opaque for
a proper microscopic analysis.
McAnany 14
Rate of polymerization Slower than 6 and 8-n faster than other 10-
ns.
Shape of polymer Sheet, breaks when attempt is made for
strand.
Force required to break strand 0N
Malleability Shatters when touched.
Opacity Opaque.
McAnany 15
Analysis:
Tensile strength
y = -0.0005x + 0.2241
0.1
0.08
0.06
Tensile strength
0.04
0.02
0
0
100 200 300 400 500
Polymer weight
This graph clearly shows the relation of polymer weight to tensile strength. As the
monomers that made up the polymers got heavier, the polymers got weaker. Most likely,
the heavier monomers are too large to be held together by a single covalent bond, and
therefore tend to fall apart.
McAnany 16
Density
y = 0.0003x + 0.2434
0.5
0.4
0.3
Density
0.2
0.1
0
0
100 200 300 400 500
Polymer weight
While the small coefficient of correlation would appear to invalidate the initial
predictions, upon analysis, it makes sense that the density of the polymers would remain
constant. Take, for example, the densities of the following molecules. (Ignore the density
of the substance, the molecular formula is of interest here.)
Dodecane. Hexane
While these molecules have different sizes and masses, their “structural” density
is identical. That is, their densities are (12 carbons)/(12 bonds long) and (6 carbons)/(6
bonds long). If this idea is extrapolated to very long molecules, such as polymers, the
trend would continue.
Supposing this is a polymer, the density is still (n carbons)/(n bonds long). Theoretically,
the smaller monomers would yield heavier polymers, because the NHOC bond would be
heavier than CH2CH2. In all likelihood, the differences in density were due to
experimental error. A method to compress the polymer into a solid block should be
explored for future research.
McAnany 17
Fragility
y = 0.0386x - 10.277
8
7
6
Fragility
units) 5
(arbitrary
4
3
2
1
0
0
100 200 300 400 500
Polymer weight
Please note, when reading this graph, the higher fragility values represent brittle
polymers. These data agree with those collected during the tensile testing, although there
are more data points. The data are entirely qualitative, although a qualitative test was not
necessary, as the main goal of this research was to determine patterns, not exact values.
Fragility
y = 0.0594x - 5.1241
8
7
6
Fragility
weight 5
by amine
4
3
2
1
0
0
50 100 150 200 250
Amine weight
When plotted by amine weight, the fragilities show the same patterns.
McAnany 18
Tensile strength by amine weight

y = -0.001x + 0.1834
0.1
0.08
0.06
Tensile strength
0.04
0.02
0
0
-0.02 50 100 150 200 250
Amine weight
When plotted by amine weight, the tensile strength showed a nearly linear correlation.
This is an exciting fact, as is means that the experiments yielded fairly accurate data.
Density
y = -3E-05x + 0.3621
0.5
0.4
Density
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0
50 100 150 200 250
Amine weight
The density graphed by amine weight showed the correlation that was predicted in the
analysis of the density by polymer weight, namely that there is no correlation.
McAnany 19
Conclusion:
The results indicate that polymers of higher molecular weight are less suitable for
most applications. They are generally more fragile than the short-chain polymers, and the
very high chain-length polymers refused to form strands. From a purely practical
standpoint, the monomers of higher molecular weight were very expensive, and it is
likely that in the rare occasion where these properties would be desirable, a more
inexpensive polymer would be used.
The polymers of high weight also were reluctant to polymerize, even when the
carboxylic acids were replaced with acyl chlorides. It is possible that these monomers
would not polymerize at all if the acyl chloride were not present. Unfortunately, the
polymerizations involving carboxylic acids often take place under exotic reaction
conditions that cannot be easily duplicated in a research situation. Another possibility is
that the 1,10 diaminodecane was not soluble enough in water to form an acceptable
polymer, and therefore the reaction was the problem.
The most useful polymer synthesized was the nylon 6-6. It polymerized readily,
and was extremely strong. Additionally, it was made with adipoyl chloride, which is less
expensive than other acyl chlorides. Should this research continue, it would be advisable
to attempt to synthesize nylon 6-6 using bulk polymerization methods, or a carboxylic
acid in place of an acyl chloride.
Several problems were encountered during the research, perhaps the most notable was
that the 1,10 diaminodecane was not soluble in cold water. The other diamine solutions
were made as .25 M solutions, but the diaminodecane was not soluble enough. The
solution that was used was to mix the diaminodecane with water in a flask, and then to
place the flask in a hot water bath. The diaminodecane was soluble at elevated
temperatures, and after all the diaminodecane had dissolved, the flask was allowed to
cool. After the diaminodecane had precipitated, it was assumed that the solution would be
saturated with the monomer. Using a hot solution was not an option, as the acyl chloride
was dissolved in hexane which might have boiled and ignited. The unknown
concentration of the solution may have influenced the results.
Initially, the testing that was planned included a melting point test. However, the
ovens available did not melt the polymers, and so the test was abandoned. Should an
oven capable of melting the polymers be found, this test is strongly encouraged, as it does
not depend on the conditions of the polymerization.
Another set of data that were abandoned were the enthalpies of the reactions. This
turned out to be impossible to measure, as the heat was not evenly distributed, and the
product was removed from the reaction vessel. If bulk polymerization had been
attempted, determining the enthalpy of the reaction would have been feasible.
McAnany 20
Future studies:
While the results from this research have yielded various insights into polymer
chemistry, there are many exciting discoveries that can still be made.
Some of the polymers synthesized did not form strands, which certainly would
have affected properties such as tensile strength. A more reliable route of polymerization,
such as bulk polymerization, may yield more similar reactions, which would allow higher
certainty in the data. Additionally, bulk polymerization would allow measurements of
enthalpy, which might allow insight into the mechanics of the reaction.
A method of compressing the polymers synthesized would be very useful. Most of
the commercially available polymers are drastically altered from their initial state, either
by compression or heating. Nylons are thermoset polymers, so melting them to form
them would be impractical. Most likely, high pressure would force the strands to form a
brick, which would allow more accurate testing.
In terms of the monomers, increasing the molecular weight would likely have a
limited benefit. Experimentation with smaller monomers may yield polymers which are
much stronger, and easier to manufacture. Additionally, adding unusual functional groups
may create useful polymers.
An aspect of research which was not pursued was synthesizing aramids. Aramids
are condensation polymers that involve benzene rings. In addition to having a very
different shape, benzene rings can have more than two functional groups, as in 1,3,5
triaminobenzene. Such highly branched polymers may have very interesting properties.
McAnany 21
This document and all content therein are copyright 2007 Charles McAnany. All rights
reserved.

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Polymer synthesis.

The faculty of the school of chemistry

Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

An understanding of polymer chemistry will allow a person to contribute to this

enormous field by designing polymers that have desirable properties.

greatly affect the properties of its polymer.

Of particular interest, both commercially and biologically, is condensation

polymerization. Condensation polymerization is the name given to reactions that form

polymers by “dehydrating” the monomers. Condensation polymerization is responsible

polymerization reactions, such as addition reactions.

and tensile strength of the polymers.

that large diamines (one of the monomers) are not effective.

Safety: wear gloves and goggles.

Weight of the monomers:

Density of the polymer:

Data for nylon 6-6:

Data for nylon 6-8:

Rate of polymerization Instantaneous

(density test) mass of blob .203

Data for nylon 8-6:

Rate of polymerization Fast.

Data for nylon 8-8:

(density test) mass of blob .08

Rate of polymerization Fast

Data for nylon 8-10:

Rate of polymerization Fast.

Data for nylon 10-6:

Notes from microscopic analysis. (Attach picture to back of

Data for nylon 10-8:

Tensile strength by amine weight

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