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CHEM219/CHEM 219 Module 8 – Principles of Organic Chemistry with Lab | Portage Learning | Updated
Exam
CHEM219/ CHEM 219 Module 8 – Principles of
Organic Chemistry with Lab | Portage Learning |
Updated 2026–2027 | Complete Questions &
Verified Answers
...
| Grade A
2026 / 2027 Academic Year
Q: Polymer
Answer
large molecule made by repetitive linking of smaller units (monomers)
Q: Macromolecule
Answer
very large molecule composed of thousands of covalently bonded atoms (ex: polymer)
Q: two ways polymers are made
Answer
1. natural (in nature)
2. synthetic (in lab)
Q: examples of natural polymers
Answer
rubber, carbs: starch & cellulose, proteins, nucleic acids DNA, RNA
Q: examples of synthetic polymers
Answer
nylon, teflon, styrofoam, polyethylene, Dacron,
Q: 3 main ways to differentiate polymers
Answer
1. method of formation
2. final composition
3. stereochemical orientation
Q: Two types of Synthetic polymers
Answer
1. chain-growth
2. step-growth
Q: chain growth polymers are also know as:
Answer
addition polymers
Q: How are chain growth polymers made?
Answer
made by addition of one monomer unit to another in a repetitive pattern
Q: chain growth polymerization
Answer
A polymerization involving sequential addition to monomers that are unsaturated (C=C) or
have some other reactive functional groups (particularly ethylene and derivatives)
Q: what 2 things stops chain growth polymerization?
Answer
1. intervention
2. consumption of all available monomers
Q: Teflon
Answer
chain-growth
polymer: polytetrafluoroethylene
monomer: F2C=CF2
nonstick coating, goretex, electrical insulator, chem-resistant coating
Q: Saran
Answer
chain-growth
polymer: polyvinylidenedichloride
monomer: H2C=CCl2
cling-wrap
Q: Polypropylene
Answer
chain-growth
polymer: polypropylene
monomer: H2C=CHCH3
carpet fibers, car parts, toys, packaging, houseware
Q: Orlon, Acrilan, Creslan
Answer
chain-growth
polymer: polyacrylonitrile
monomer: H2C=CH(CN)
textiles/fibers, carpets, upholstery
Q: Polyvinyl Acetate
Answer
chain-growth
polymer: polyvinyl acetate
monomer: H2C=CH(OCOCH3)
elmers glue, silly putty, latex paints
Q: Polyvinyl alcohol
Answer
chain-growth
polymer: polyvinyl alcohol
monomer: H2C=CH(OH)
eye med- artificial tears
Q: Plexiglass (Lucite)
Answer
chain-growth
polymer: polymethylmethacrylate
monomer: H2C=C9CH3)COOCH3
clear plastic sheets , blocks, and tubing
Q: the final polymer retains all of the atoms of the monomer
Answer
the final polymer retains all of the atoms of the monomer
Q: step growth polymerization
Answer
formed by the reaction between 2 different functional groups on different monomer
molecules with the accompanying loss of some small molecule (typically water)
Q: The defining characteristic of step-growth polymers
Answer
The final polymer chain does NOT include all the atoms initially present in the monomer
molecules
Q: step-growth polymers also known as:
Answer
condensation polymers
Q: functionality of step-growth monomers
Answer
typically di or polyfunctional
Q: appearance of monomers in step-growth polymerization
Answer
alternating order in the final polymer chain
Q: how step-growth polymers generally grow
Answer
by carbon-heteroatom bond formation
Q: how chain-growth polymers generally grow
Answer
carbon-carbon bond formation
Q: Polyamide (Nylon)
Answer
formed by combining 1,6-diaminohexane (amine) with 1,6-hexandioic acid (carboxylic acid)
amine functionality reacts with carboxylic acid functionality to form an amide with a
corresponding loss of a water molecule
naturally occurring step-growth/ condensation polymer examples
Answer
cellulose, polypetide chains, beta-Hydroxybutyric acid
Lexan
Answer
step-growth
polymer: polycarbonate
eye glasses, auto parts, drinking glasses
Kevlar
Answer
step-growth
polymer: polyamide
body armor, tires, helmets
step-growth
polymer: polyester
Dacron, Mylar
Answer
eletric/thermal insulation, helium balloons, artificial limbs
three main mechanisms for addition/ chain-growth polymerization
Answer
1. free radical
2. cationic
3. anionic
For all three main addition mechanisms, how does polymerization begin?
Answer
(initiation) begins by creating a reactive intermediate that starts the chain reaction
free-radical addition polymerization
Answer
a monomer reacts with a free-radical initiator to create a free-radical
free-radical
Answer
an atom or a group of atoms that has one unpaired electron
radical initiator
Answer
a reagent that creates radicals, has relatively weak covalent bonds which can be homolyzed
3 main characteristics of free-radicals
Answer
1. electrically neutral
2. quite reactive and reacts quickly to pair up the lone electron
3. formed from radical initiators
Homolyzed bond
Answer
broken so that each atom joined by the bond gets one of the two electrons in the bond
benzoyl peroxide
Answer
example of a radical initiator (o-o bond = weak and can undergo homolysis upon heat or UV
exposure to produce 2 benzoyl radicals)
how much initiator is needed in polymerization and does any remain at the end of the
reactions?
Answer
only a small amount of radical initiator is needed compared to the concentration of
monomers present -some remains in final product but it does not affect the product
two main things that control polymer properties
Answer
1. the monomer used
2. the molecular weight of the final polymer chain
what happens after the radical initiator has formed radicals?
Answer
radical can attack + homolyze C=C of monomer to create a reactive intermediate that starts
polymerization
which substituent does the radical add to in the monomer?
Answer
adds to the LEAST substituted carbon of the C=C bond because this carbon is easier to
approach and less hindered to produce a more stable radical intermediate
What happens during propagation of free-radical polymerization?
Answer
produces a new radical that can continue the polymerization chain reaction:
Each attack of the radical with a new monomer unit extends the chain by one unit
what is chain propagation the same as?
Answer
some step as initiation in that monomers add in head to tail fashion with substituents
present on alternating carbons in the chain
What 4 main factors determine the extent of the polymerization?
1. temperature
2. pressure
3. solvent used
4. monomer concentration
speed of free radical chain growth
Answer
extremely rapid- can grow by thousands of monomers in less than a second
Termination of free-radical polymerization
Answer
stops the chain growth, involves 2 radical species- pairing of 2 unpaired electrons and
formation of new covalent bond
2 pathways of termination
Answer
1. Radical Coupling
2. Radical Disproportionation
Radical Coupling
termination of free-radical polymerization where 2 radicals combine using the unpaired
electrons on each to make a new covalent bond
monomer arrangement in radical coupling
head-to-head arrangement, substituents are attached to adjacent carbons
radical disproportionation
One radical abstracts a hydrogen atom from another radical species which forms a new
covalent bond and makes and alkane- then an alkene is formed by the combination of
unpaired electrons on adjacent carbons
Radical Coupling AND radical disproportionation form what type of species from radical
species?
both form non-radical species from radical species which stops the growth of the polymer
chain
3 steps in a Chain Reaction of free-radical polymerization
1. Initiation
2. Propagation
3. Termination
Initiation of Free Radicals
production of a radical species from a non-radical species using heat or UV light
Propagation of Free Radicals
reaction of a radical with a non-radical producing a new radical species and continuing the
chain reaction
what is chain transfer dependent on?
Rates of the straight chain propagation steps versus the chain transfer steps -Rates are controlled by stability of the intermediate radicals that form as a product in each
Termination of Free Radicals
reaction of 2 radicals with each other producing a non-radical- no intermediate reactive =
reaction stops
chain transfer reaction
type of propagation step where a radical in one polymer chain abstracts a hydrogen atom
from a position in a different polymer chain which causes branching in a growing polymer
chain
Cation Chain-Growth Polymerization
best for substrates that can form stable carbocation intermediates (typically unsubstituted
substrates like bulky alkenes or alkenes with electron-donating substituents)
How is cation addition polymerization initiated?
By adding a strong acid to an alkene to form a carbocation intermediate
cation addition polymerization propagation
carbocation intermediate + new alkene monomer molecule adds one unit to the polymer
chain each time
cation addition polymerization termination
terminates by the removal of a hydrogen atom from a carbon atom adjacent to the
positively charged carbon to form an alkene (like in an elimination reaction)
main catalysts used for anionic addition polymerization
Grignard Reagents (R: -[MgBr]+)
Alkyllithium (R:-Li+)
Anionic addition polymerization
a form of chain-growth polymerization or addition polymerization that involves the
polymerization of monomers initiated with anions. The type of reaction has many
manifestations, but traditionally vinyl monomers are used.
Why use anionic addition polymerization
useful for alkenes with electron-withdrawing substituents such as cyano groups, phenyls,
esters
anionic addition polymerization propagation
chain grows by 1 anionic intermediate adding to the C=C bond of a monomer molecule.
monomer anion adds in place of a Grignard Reagent or Alkyllithium reagent.
each addition grows by one unit
anionic addition polymerization termination
accomplished by quenching reaction with a proton source such as water or alcohol
what is formed when a monosubstituted alkene monomer is polymerized?
a new chiral center is formed at every position where the substituent branches from the
back bone of the chain
Tacticity
describes the location in the polymer chain of chiral centers rather than using R or S
designation
3 main classes of polymer tacticity
1. Atactic
2. Isotactic
3.Syndiotactic
atactic
stereocenters have random configurations
Isotactic
all stereocenters have the same configuration
syndiotactic
Stereocenters alternate in configuration
atactic configuration is labeled as
Stereorandom
isotactic and syndiotactic are labeled as
Stereoregular
How does having different tacticity with the same monomer effect the monomer?
The same monomers with different tacticity will have different physical properties
EX: atactic polypropylene (soft matrix adhesive) vs isotactic polypropylene (high-melting
solid that can be molded or machined)
2 ways to control polymer stereochemistry
1. chain-end control
2. site control
preferential formation of chain-end control -1st chiral center that forms will determine all subsequent stereochemistry in the polymer -an existing chiral center will force an incoming group to one side of the molecule
Chain end control
at an existing stereocenter and the end of the chain, the next monomer will be influenced by
how the chiral center projects into space
Site Control
The specific shape of the reagent or catalyst that facilitates the reaction also determines the
stereochemistry.
Ziegler-Natta catalyst
most famous site control to prod stereoregular polymers. uses various transition metal
catalysts to control sites where monomers are added to the chain
Ligands
A molecule that binds specifically to a receptor site of another molecule. -coordinated to the metal ion that bind monomers prior to insertion into the growing chain -specifically utilized in Ziegler-Natta catalysts
what 2 factors of ligands orient monomers into position
shape and size hold monomers into position in ONE orientation
what two types of polymers can Ziegler-Natta catalysts be used on?
Isotactic and Syndiotactic (only stereoregular polymers)
Homopolymer
a polymer made up of one type of repeating unit. It is made from one monomer only.
Copolymer
polymers composed of more than one type of monomer -used to control properties of a polymer product (like flexibility or chemical resistance)
Random (Statistical) Copolymer
monomeric units distributed randomly and unevenly in the chain
Alternating Copolymer
monomeric units distributed regularly + alternating with nearly equimolar amounts in each
chain
Block Copolymer
long sequence/ blocks of one monomer is joined to a block of the second monomer
Graft Copolymer
side chains of a given monomer are attached to main chains of a second monomer
biggest causative agent of the exact sequence in copolymer chains:
relative reactivity of the monomers present
situation creates what copolymer?
A reacts rapidly with B but slow with self
B reacts rapidly with A but slow with self
alternating sequence (ABABABABABA)
two things that determine the reactivity of a monomer
1. number of substituents present
2. type of substituents present
situation creates what copolymer?
A and B are equally reactive towards each other and self
random sequence (ABBAAAAABABBBAABBBBBBBAABABBB)
situation creates what copolymer?
One monomer in in copolymer is more reactive than other to all species
mixture of two different homopolymers
situation creates what copolymer?
polymerization of monomer A is iniated, then B is added, then A is added, etc -particularly useful for anionic polymerization bc the living end (anion) stays active until
the reaction is quenched.
Block sequence
situation creates what copolymer?
first polymerize a monomer with additional functionality (a second double bond) in its
structure -makes a polymer with multiple bonds -homopolymer is formed -monomer B added with a radical initiator to graft section of B onto reactive sites of A.
Graft sequence
polymer properties are strongly affected by:
1. molecular weight (and distribution)
2. amount of branching (of the chain architecture)
how do long branches affect crystallinity?
undergo side-chain crystallization (able to form rows of crystals on their own)
how do short branches affect crystallinity?
Reduce crystallinity (interfere with the formation of crystals)
Amorphous polymers
polymer chains arranged in random manner- not regularly aligned as in a crystal
important example of an amorphous polymer
polystyrene (monomer styrene ((Vinyl Benzene)))
thermoplastic
softens upon heating and hardens upon cooling (property of polystyrene)
what is produced by adding a low boiling inert solvent like pentane to the polymerization
reaction of polystyrene where the pentane boils off into gas and the volatilization causes
bubbles that expand the polymer into a foam.
Styrofoam
What allows amorphous polymers to be made more rigid/ crystalline (and thus less
amorphous)
Cross-Linking
Cross-linking definition
small amounts of polyfunctional monomers are added to form links (covalent bonds
between growing chains)
these links tether the growing chains together in a less random, more crystalline order
characteristics of cross-linked polystyrene
more rigid, less soluble in organic solvents than native
what are the main properties that characterization techniques of polymers seek to discover?
molecular mass, molecular structure, morphology, thermal properties, mechanical
properties
molecular mass of polymers
differs from typical molecules d/t polymerization reaction producing a distribution of
molecular weights and shapes
molecular mass of polymers =
average molecular weight and polydispersity
Polydisperity (PD)
how heterogenous the range of particle size is
Spectroscopy: UV-visible, infrared, Ramen, Nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin
resonance, xray diffraction, mass spectrometry
techniques used to characterize polymers by identifying common function groups + other
structure features
(also used to determine molecular structure of unknown molecules)
an atom has gained or lost electrons
ion
a characteristic of atom that varies regularly across the periodic table
periodic property
a compound held together by a shared pair of valence electrons
covalent compound
a compound formed by ions
ionic compound
the electrons that exist farthest from the atom's nucleus and generally have the highest
energy level number
valence electrons
most atoms strive to attain eight valence electrons
octet rule
an indicator of an atom's size
atomic radius
the amount of energy needed in order to take an electron away from an atom
ionization potential
a measure of how strongly an atom attracts extra electros to itself a
electronegativity
the process by which an atom turns into an ion by gaining or losing electrons
ionization