Deck 28: Synthetic Polymers

Question 1

The monomer used to make superglue is shown below.Which of the following methods of polymerization is most suitable for this type of monomer?

A)Free-radical chain-growth
B)Cationic chain-growth
C)Anionic chain-growth
D)Acid-catalyzed step-growth

Answer 1

Anionic chain-growth

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the polymer chain shown below?

A)Atactic polypropylene
B)Isotactic polypropylene
C)Syndiotactic polypropylene
D)Cross-linked polypropylene

Answer 2

Isotactic polypropylene

Question 3

Which type of polymerization process uses benzoyl peroxide (or other peroxides)as an initiator?

A)Free-radical chain-growth
B)Cationic chain-growth
C)Anionic chain-growth
D)Acid-catalyzed step-growth

Answer 3

Free-radical chain-growth

Question 4

The repeating unit of poly(methyl methacrylate)is shown below.Which one of the following is the monomer used to make poly(methyl methacrylate)?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 5

What modification occurs when a small amount of p-divinylbenzene is added to the polymerization reaction of styrene to form polystyrene? (Recall that the vinyl group is -CH=CH₂.)

A)Cross-linking of the polystyrene
B)Isotactic stereochemistry of the polystyrene
C)Syndiotactic stereochemistry of the polystyrene
D)"Softening" of the polystyrene by a plasticizer

Question 6

In which type of polymer are the chains packed less tightly together,resulting in lower melting points and a softer texture?

A)Isotactic polymers
B)Syndiotactic polymers
C)Atactic polymers
D)Cross-linked polymers

Question 7

Identify the repeating unit in the polymer formed from the following reaction sequence.

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 8

Which of the following is (are)condensation polymer(s)? I.polypropylene
II)Teflon
III)nylon

A)Only I
B)Only II
C)Only III
D)Both II and III

Question 9

Which of the following is (are)addition polymer(s)? I.polypropylene
II)Teflon
III)nylon

A)Only I
B)Only II
C)Only III
D)Both I and II

Question 10

Which of the following initiators can be used for anionic chain-growth polymerization?

A)Benzoyl peroxide
B)CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂Li
C)BF₃
D)Al(CH₂CH₃)₃,TiCl₄

Question 11

Which one of the following monomers undergoes cationic polymerization most readily?

A)H₂C=CH₂
B)H₂C=CHCH₃
C)H₂C=C(CH₃)₂
D)H₂C=CHCN

Question 12

The acid-catalyzed dimerization of isobutylene gives a mixture of two isomeric alkenes,A and B.Hydrogenation of this mixture gives a single C₈H₁₈ hydrocarbon.What is the structure of this hydrocarbon?

A)2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
B)2,3,4-Trimethylpentane
C)2,4-Dimethylhexane
D)2,5-Dimethyhexane

Question 13

Which of the following initiators can be used for free radical chain-growth polymerization?

A)Benzoyl peroxide
B)CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂Li
C)BF₃
D)Al(CH₂CH₃)₃,TiCl₄

Question 14

Which one of the following monomers undergoes anionic polymerization most readily?

A)H₂C=CH₂
B)H₂C=CHCH₃
C)H₂C=C(CH₃)₂
D)H₂C=CHCN

Question 15

Which of the following monomers yields the polymer shown below?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 16

Which of the following is used to make Teflon?

A)Fluoroethene
B)1,1,4,4-Tetrafluorobutadiene
C)1,2-Difluoroethene
D)Tetrafluoroethylene

Question 17

Which of the following is the repeating unit in polyvinyl chloride (PVC)?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 18

Which of the following is the monomer that gives the polymer shown below?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 19

Which of the following monomers is used to make the polymer carbowax,shown below?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the polymer chain shown below?

A)Atactic polypropylene
B)Isotactic polypropylene
C)Syndiotactic polypropylene
D)Cross-linked polypropylene

Question 21

What is the purpose of plasticizers?

A)To harden plastics
B)To soften plastics
C)To initiate polymerizations
D)To cross-link polymer chains

Question 22

Bakelite is formed by the acid-catalyzed polymerization of phenol with formaldehyde.What is (are)the product(s)of the first step in this polymerization,shown below? (Note: in the answers below the hydroxymethyl group is -CH₂OH.)

A)Ortho and para-hydroxybenzaldehyde
B)Meta-hydroxybenzaldehyde
C)Ortho and para-(hydroxymethyl)phenol
D)Meta-(hydroxymethyl)phenol

Question 23

Which monomer and which type of initiator would you use to synthesize the following polymer?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D
E)E

Question 24

What is the name given to polymers that soften when heated and harden when cooled?

A)Cross-linked polymers
B)Copolymers
C)Thermosetting polymers
D)Thermoplastics

Question 25

Melamine and formaldehyde combine to form the polymer,Melmac^®.How is Melmac^® classified,and what physical characteristics are consistent with its structure?

A)Polycarbonate,transparent
B)Polyurethane,elastic
C)Thermosetting,rigid
D)Thermoplastic,can be melted and molded into new shapes

Question 26

Vulcanization is the process of cross-linking polymer chains in rubber using what chemical?

A)Sulfur
B)Formaldehyde
C)Benzoyl peroxide
D)Ethylene glycol

Question 27

Which of the following is the repeating unit of the polymer formed in the polymerization of p-hydroxybenzoic acid?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 28

What is the classification of the following polymer in which X and Y represent repeating units?

A)Block copolymer
B)Homopolymer
C)Alternating copolymer
D)Random copolymer

Question 29

Which of the following sets of products results if nylon 66 is treated with sulfuric acid?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 30

What monomer(s)would be used to make the polyester shown below?

A)Butanedioic acid
B)4-Hydroxybutanal
C)4-Hydroxybutanoic acid
D)Butanedioic acid and 1,4-butanediol

Question 31

The repeating unit of a polymer is shown below.This polymer is formed by

A)addition of ethylene.
B)addition of trans-2-butene.
C)1,2 addition of butadiene.
D)1,4 addition of butadiene.

Question 32

Rank the following monomers (X,Y and Z)in order of increasing ability to undergo anionic polymerization,starting with the least reactive monomer.

A)Y< X < Z
B)Z < Y < X
C)X < Y < Z
D)Y < Z < X

Question 33

Which of the following is the repeating unit of the polymer formed in the polymerization reaction shown below?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 34

What is the classification of the following polymer in which X and Y represent repeating units?

A)Block copolymer
B)Homopolymer
C)Alternating copolymer
D)Random copolymer

Question 35

Which of the following is (are)repeating unit(s)of step-growth polymers?

A)Only I
B)Only II
C)Only III
D)I and II

Question 36

What is the structure of the polymer which results when styrene is reacted with BF₃ and H₂O?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 37

Which of the following initiators is used to make isotactic polypropylene?

A)Benzoyl peroxide
B)CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂Li
C)BF₃
D)Al(CH₂CH₃)₃,TiCl₄

Question 38

What is the name given to polymers with single monomers?

A)Homopolymers
B)Copolymers
C)Block polymers
D)Random polymers

Question 39

Identify the monomer(s)needed to make the following polyester.

A)3-Hydroxybutanoic acid
B)Butanedioic acid
C)Butanedioic acid and ethylene glycol
D)Butanedioic acid and ethanol

Question 40

What is the classification of the following polymer in which X and Y represent repeating units?

A)Block copolymer
B)Homopolymer
C)Alternating copolymer
D)Random copolymer

Question 41

What type of polymer is Nylon?

A)Epoxy
B)Polyurethane
C)Polycarbonate
D)Polyamide

Question 42

What are the structures of the three monomers needed to synthesize the following polymer?

A)I
B)II
C)III
D)IV

Question 43

What is the name given to polymers with two or more different monomers?

A)Homopolymers
B)Copolymers
C)Block polymers
D)Random polymers

Question 44

What type of polymer is Lexan?

A)Epoxy
B)Polyurethane
C)Polycarbonate
D)Polyamide

Question 45

What type of polymer is Spandex?

A)HDPE
B)Polyurethane
C)Polycarbonate
D)Polyamide