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Chapter 22: Problem 33

Nylon can be destroyed easily by strong acids. Explain the chemical basis for the destruction. (Hint: The products are the starting materials of the polymerization reaction.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Nylon, a polyamide, can be broken down by strong acids due to the hydrolysis of its amide bond, effectively reversing the polymerization reaction. The nylon polymer chain breaks down into its constituent monomers - the diamine and the diacid, which were the starting materials of the polymerization reaction.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the polymerization of Nylon

Nylon is a type of polyamide, which is formed from the polymerization of a diamine and a diacid. The amine and acid interact to form an amide link, releasing a molecule of water in the process. The chemical formula for this reaction is \( \text{H}_{2}\text{N}-\text{R}-\text{NH}_{2} + \text{HOOC}-\text{R}'-\text{COOH} \rightarrow \text{H}_{2}\text{N}-\text{R}-\text{CONH}-\text{R}'-\text{COOH} + \text{H}_{2}\text{O} \).
02

Understand the effect of strong acids on amide bonds

Amide bonds are resistant to many types of chemical reagents but are susceptible to hydrolysis, especially under acidic and heated conditions. Strong acids provide the H+ ions necessary for the reaction and can cause the breakage of the amide bond, effectively reversing the polymerization reaction.
03

Formulate the destruction process of Nylon by strong acids

When Nylon is treated with a strong acid, the acid acts as a catalyst for the hydrolysis of the amide bond. This results in the breakdown of the Nylon chain into its constituent monomers - the diamine and the diacid. The chemical equation for this reaction would be \( \text{H}_{2}\text{N}-\text{R}-\text{CONH}-\text{R}'-\text{COOH} + \text{H}_{2}\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_{2}\text{N}-\text{R}-\text{NH}_{2} + \text{HOOC}-\text{R}'-\text{COOH} \). This explains the chemical basis for the destruction of Nylon by strong acids.

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