Chapter 18: Problem 18

What is it about the monomers used to make nylon that allows them to be linked into large macromolecules?

Short Answer

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The ability of nylon monomers to link into large macromolecules is due to the presence of reactive amine (-NH2) and carboxylic acid (-COOH) functional groups in their structure. These groups react through a condensation reaction to form amide bonds, with water molecules being released in the process. The polymerization of these monomers, involving the continuous formation of amide bonds, results in the creation of large nylon macromolecules.

Step by step solution

Understanding the structure of nylon monomers

Nylon is made from two different types of monomers: a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid. The diamine has an amine group (-NH2) at each end of the molecule, while the dicarboxylic acid has a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) at each end. These functional groups are responsible for the formation of the macromolecule.

Types of nylon and their monomers

Depending on the number of carbon atoms in the diamine and dicarboxylic acid, different types of nylon can be formed. For example, Nylon-6,6 is made from hexamethylenediamine (H2N(CH2)6NH2) and adipic acid (HOOC(CH2)4COOH). Another type, Nylon-6, is made from a single monomer called caprolactam which has both the amine and carboxylic acid groups in its structure.

Understanding the chemical linkage between nylon monomers

The linkage between the diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers is called an amide bond. This bond is formed through a condensation reaction where a molecule of water (H2O) is released when the amine group (-NH2) of the diamine reacts with the carboxylic acid group (-COOH) of the dicarboxylic acid to form a covalent bond between the two monomers. The amide linkage has the general structure: \[\ce{R-CO-NH-R'}\] where R and R' are the remaining parts of the dicarboxylic acid and diamine molecules, respectively.

Formation of the nylon macromolecule

As the formation of an amide bond is a highly favored reaction, the diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers easily join together to form a long polymer chain. Each monomer continues to react with its neighbor, repeating the formation of amide bonds, and eventually creating a large macromolecule. This process is called polymerization.

Conclusion

The property of nylon monomers that allows them to link into large macromolecules is the presence of reactive functional groups, specifically the amine (-NH2) and carboxylic acid (-COOH) groups. These groups participate in condensation reactions, forming amide bonds and releasing water in the process. The formation of these amide bonds between monomers results in the creation of a large macromolecule - nylon.

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What is it about the monomers used to make nylon that allows them to be linked into large macromolecules?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the structure of nylon monomers

Types of nylon and their monomers

Understanding the chemical linkage between nylon monomers

Formation of the nylon macromolecule

Conclusion

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