Chapter 24.1, Problem 24.1.1SR

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The given co-polymer should be classified.

Concept Introduction:

Polymers: Polymers are macromolecules which are formed a by number of repeating units called monomers.

Monomer: A molecule is considered as monomer when this molecule bonds with another identical molecule which results to form polymer.

Based on the techniques involved polymers are classified as addition and condensation polymer.

Addition polymer is formed when the monomers undergoes addition reaction. These polymers are formed when the bonds in monomers undergoes rearrangement without loss of atom/molecule. This addition reaction takes place under pressure, heat or in presence of some catalyst.

Condensation polymer is formed when the monomers with two different functional groups undergoes reaction where the bond in monomer undergoes rearrangement with elimination of small molecules present.

When two or more monomers undergo polymerization reaction, the polymer thus obtained is called as copolymer and the process of polymerization is termed as copolymerization.

Based on the arrangement of repeating units, copolymers are classified as follows,

• Alternating copolymer – It contains two different units which repeat alternatively in the sequence of polymer.
• Block copolymer – Two monomers joins together and results in polymer with repeating monomer units in block.
• Graft copolymer – Polymer with defined side chains are considered as graft polymer.
• Random copolymer – The monomers in random polymer does not follow any particular but get repeated randomly in the polymer.