Chapter 24 Macromolecules

O Level Chemistry
Chapter 24 Macromolecules

Macromolecules
They are large molecules which are built up by joining together many small molecules.
Different macromolecules are made up of different units and some with different linkages.
Many things around us are macromolecules. They can be classified into:
- Natural (e.g. wood, wool, fats, proteins)
- Synthetic (e.g. plastics like poly(ethene))
For instance, poly(ethene) is a synthetic polymer made by joining thousands of ethene
molecules.

Plastics
They are synthetic (man-made) materials which have replaced many natural materials.
Plastics have more advantages than using some natural materials.
Plastics have become popular because they have some special characteristics and properties
which make them useful:
- Easily moulded into different shapes Some natural materials are
- Can be made into different forms (e.g. films, fibres, foam, etc.) replaced by plastics because:
Wood rots and burns
- Strong but light Metal rusts / corrodes
- Resistant to corrosion and do not rot Wool and cotton are
attacked by insects
- Resistant to attacks by insects
- Good insulators or heat and electricity
- Relatively cheap
Plastics consist of macromolecules in the form of long chains.
These long chains are called polymers.

Polymers
Polymer is a long-chain macromolecule made by joining together
many small molecules called monomers.
Polymers are thus made up of many repeating units.
A repeating unit is the smallest part of a polymer which, when Polymerisation
repeated many times, forms the whole polymer.
Polymers are formed from a process called polymerisation.
Polymerisation is the process of joining many monomers together to Fig. 1: Schematic of a
make one polymer. (Fig. 1) polymerization process

Polymers are classified into 2 groups: Addition polymer and Condensation polymer.

Kimiya Learning Place LLP (TEL):65549440 Blk 443, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #02-1251, S(560443) www.kimiyalearningplace.com.sg
 Chapter 24 Macromolecules

Addition Polymers
An addition polymer is made by joining many (one kind of) monomers together to make one
long molecule by addition polymerisation.
Addition polymerisation is a process whereby small molecules (monomer) join together to
form one long molecule (polymer) as the only product without any loss of molecules or atoms.
Most addition polymers are made from small alkene molecules.
One of the simplest addition polymer is poly(ethene).

Poly(ethene)
- Poly(ethene), also called polythene, is made from the addition polymerisation of ethene as the
monomer.
- During polymerisation, the double bond of ethene molecule opens:

The open unit is also the

repeat unit of poly(ethene)

- These open units then join together to form one molecule of poly(ethene).

- When n molecules of ethene join together, we can write the equation for polymerisation as:

- n is a very large number.

(can be 500 to 20000)
- There are n repeat units in
the formula of
- Poly(ethene) is: poly(ethene).

A solid with covalent bonding

Insoluble in water
Does not conduct electricity
A most widely used plastic today.
- Uses of Poly(ethene)
Plastic bags, cling films for wrapping food, flexible water pipes, plastic bottles, etc.

Other Addition Polymers

- They are made from alkenes or chemicals made from alkenes.
- Examples:
Poly(chloroethene), also called PVC
Poly(phenylethene), also called Polystyrene
Perspex
Poly(tetrafluoroethene), also called PTFE

Kimiya Learning Place LLP (TEL):65549440 Blk 443, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #02-1251, S(560443) www.kimiyalearningplace.com.sg
 Chapter 24 Macromolecules

Condensation Polymers
A condensation polymer is made by joining two types of monomers, while eliminating small
molecules, via condensation polymerisation.
Condensation polymerisation is a process whereby monomers join together to form
polymers with the elimination of small molecules such as water or ammonia.
Two common examples are nylon and terylene.

Nylon
- Nylon is made from two types of monomers: di-carboxylic acid and di-amine.
- The two monomers combine to form a polymer. A molecule of water is formed from each pair of
monomers.

and
are hydrocarbon
chains.

- The repeating unit for nylon:

- These repeat units are joined together by many amide linkages to form nylon.
- Hence, this type of polymer is called a polyamide.
- Nylon is:
Nylon can be
Strong but light prepared in the
Can be stretched without breaking laboratory.
- Uses of Nylon
Made into fibres to make into strong ropes and fishing lines
Woven into cloth to make nylon tents, raincoats and parachutes
Made into zippers

Kimiya Learning Place LLP (TEL):65549440 Blk 443, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #02-1251, S(560443) www.kimiyalearningplace.com.sg
 Chapter 24 Macromolecules

Terylene
- Terylene is also made from two types of monomers: di-carboxylic acid and di-alcohol (diol)
- The two monomers combine to form a polymer. A water molecule is eliminated from each pair of
monomers.

and
are hydrocarbon
chains.

- The repeating unit for terylene:

- The monomers are joined together by many ester linkages.

- Hence, this type of polymer is called polyester.
- Uses of Terylene:
Made into fibres and woven into cloth to make clothing and sails.

Uses of these synthetic fibres for clothing

- Today, synthetic fibres, such as nylon and polyester, are used to make most clothing instead of
natural fibres like cotton.
- Unlike cotton, synthetic fibres are hard wearing, do not rot, not eaten by insects and keep their
shapes in humid conditions.
- However, they are less comfortable than cotton as they do not allow perspiration to evaporate from
the body.
- Hence, most clothing is made of a mixture of both cotton and synthetic fibres so that good features
of both materials are included.

Kimiya Learning Place LLP (TEL):65549440 Blk 443, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #02-1251, S(560443) www.kimiyalearningplace.com.sg
 Chapter 24 Macromolecules

Pollution Problems Caused by Disposal of Plastics

Production and usage of large quantities of plastics have led to a lot of waste. Disposal of plastic
wastes have caused pollution problems.
Plastics are non-biodegradable.
- They are resistant to corrosion and bacteria do not break them down naturally.
- Scientists have come out with biodegradable plastics which can decompose slowly in sunlight into
smaller molecules which are then broken down by bacteria.
- Glass, paper and other materials can be used to make things instead of plastics.
Burning plastic waste is poisonous.
- All plastics produce poisonous carbon monoxide when burnt.
- PVC produces chlorine gas when burnt.
- Nylon produces extremely poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas when burnt.
Plastics can kill animals.
- Sea birds and mammals die after eating plastics or being tangled in plastic nets
- Some are choked by plastic bags when mistaken for jellyfish.
Greenhouse Gases
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are used to make plastic foams.
- CFCs later escape from the foam and enter the atmosphere.
- They destroy the ozone layer.
- They are also greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming.

Kimiya Learning Place LLP (TEL):65549440 Blk 443, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #02-1251, S(560443) www.kimiyalearningplace.com.sg
 Chapter 24 Macromolecules

Summary

Wood, Cotton, Metal

Natural

Monomer Macromolecule Disposal of plastic wastes

causes
Pollution Problems
Polymerisation Synthetic
Many of them join a long-chain (man-made)
together to form one

made into
Polymer Plastics

classified into

Addition Condensation
Polymers Polymers

Made by Made by example

Addition example Condensation Terylene

Polymerisation Polymerisation (a polyester)
[many (one kind of) [monomers (two types) join
monomers join together together to form polymers Nylon
to make one polymer as Poly(ethene) with the elimination of small (a polyamide)
the only product] molecules e.g. H2O or NH3]

A typical and
widely used plastic Man-made fibres
used to make clothing, curtain
materials, fishing line,
parachutes, sleeping bags

Kimiya Learning Place LLP (TEL):65549440 Blk 443, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #02-1251, S(560443) www.kimiyalearningplace.com.sg