Applied Organic Chemistry: (Part-B)
Applied Organic Chemistry: (Part-B)
Applied Organic Chemistry: (Part-B)
Chapter 4.
Classification, Functional Groups & Nomenclature
Organic compounds have been classified on the basis of carbon skeleton (structure) or
functional groups or the concept of homology.
Classification based on structure: All the known organic compounds have been divided
into two main types:
1. Acyclic or Open-chain compounds: These are the compounds in which the carbon atoms
are linked to each other forming chain of straight or branched compounds. These
compounds are also called as aliphatic compounds.
CH3
2. Cyclic or Closed-chain compounds: These are the compounds in which the carbon atoms
are linked to each other or to the atoms of other elements forming closed cyclic rings
structures. The compounds with only one ring of atoms in the molecule are known as
monocyclic but those with more than one ring of atoms are termed as polycyclic. These are
further divided into two subgroups:
(a) Homocyclic or Carbocyclic: These are the compounds having a ring or rings of carbon
atoms only in the molecule. These are again divided into two types:
(i) Alicyclic compounds: These are the compounds which contain rings. These compounds
resembles to aliphatic compounds than aromatic compounds. Some of the examples are given
below.
Homocyclic Heterocyclic
compounds compounds
Alicyclic Aromatic
compounds compounds
Functional groups: Most of the organic compounds consist of two parts, each of which is
called a group. Both of these groups are responsible for the properties of the compounds. The
group R represents the carbon hydrogen framework (chain) which mainly affects the physical
properties while group X is known as functional group which is responsible for the chemical
properties of the compound.
R X
A functional group is an atom or group of atoms present in a molecule that give the
molecule its characteristic chemical properties. Double and triple bonds are also
considered as functional groups.
Examples for functional groups are hydroxyl groups ( ─OH), aldehyde group (─CHO), and
carboxylic acid group (─COOH).
Prepared by: Dr. Shaik Ramjan Vali
Dept. Of Industrial Chemistry
AASTU-ETHIOPIA.[Type text] Page 3
Prepared by: Dr. Shaik Ramjan Vali
Dept. Of Industrial Chemistry
AASTU-ETHIOPIA.[Type text] Page 4
Homologous series: A homologous series can be defined as a group of compounds in which
the various members have similar structural features and similar chemical properties and the
successive members differ in their molecular formula by CH2.
All compounds in the series are composed of same elements and contain the same
functional group.
All compounds in the series can be represented by one general formula. For example
alkanes have general formula of CnH2n+2.
All compounds in the series have similar chemical properties because of the presence
of same functional group.
Compounds in the series have different physical properties such as density, physical
nature, melting and boiling points etc., because they differ in molecular weight.
Some of the important homologous series are alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols,
alkylhalides, alcanoic acids, amines, etc.
b) Formic acid was named as it was obtained from red ants. The Greek word for the red ants
is formicus.
c) Methane was named as marsh gas because it was produced in marshes, etc.,
II. IUPAC system. Organic chemistry deals with millions of compounds. In order to clearly
identify them, a systematic method of naming has been developed and is known as the
IUPAC ( International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) system of nomenclature.
Functional
group OH
CH3 CH CH2 CH CH CH2 CH3
CH3 Br
Parent chain
Branch Functional
group
In the IUPAC system of naming of hydrocarbons the name consists of three parts:
I. Word root II. Suffix III. Prefix
I. Word root: The number of carbon atoms present in the parent chain is given by the ‘word
root’. In chains containing up to four carbon atoms, word roots such as Meth, Eth, Prop, But,
etc., are used and for those containing more than four carbon atoms Greek numerals such as
Pent, Hex, Hept, Oct, etc., are used.
Number
of carbon C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12
atoms
Word root Meth Eth Prop But Pent Hex Hept Oct Non Dec Undec Dodec
II. Suffix: The word root is linked to the suffix. The nature of linkages (i.e.,
single, double or triple bond) is indicated by the suffix.
Class of compound Type of bond Suffix Name
Aliphatic saturated Single –ane Alkane
hydrocarbon
Aliphatic unsaturated Double –ene Alkene
hydrocarbon Triple –yne Alkyne
Nomenclature of alkanes: They are saturated hydrocarbons. They have only -bond
without any -bonds between carbon atoms. They are chemically inert and hence alkane are
also called paraffins. They have general formula CnH2n+2.
Common system: Hydrocarbons with less than four carbon atoms are always
straight chain compounds. Hydrocarbons with four or more carbon atoms can either
be straight chain compounds or branched chain. In the common system, all isomeric
alkanes will have the same parent name. The various isomers can be distinguished by
prefixes n–, iso–, neo–, etc.
Prefix ‘n’: Straight chain compounds (with no branching) will carry prefix ‘n’.e.g,
The prefix 'iso' : It is used for those alkanes in which one methyl group is attached to the
next-to-end (last but one) carbon atom of the main (continuous) chain. e.g.
Prefix 'neo': Prefix 'neo' is used for those alkanes in which two methyl groups are attached to
the next-to-end carbon atom of the continuous chain
The ending 'ane' of the alkane corresponding to the longest chain is changed to 'ene'. Thee
other carbon atoms not included in the parent chain (if any) are regarded as the substituents.
The substituents are alkane molecules with one less hydrogen atom. Hence, they are named
by replacing 'ane' in its name by 'yl'.
The position of each substituent is designated by the number of the carbon atom to which it is
attached. The position number is written before the name of the alkyl group, which is
separated using hyphens. The substituents are written before the parent name.
If two or more different substituents are present, they are named in the alphabetical order
along with their appropriate positions
If the compound contains two or more different substituents at equivalent positions from the
two ends of the parent chain (from the double bond), they are numbered in such a way that
the least possible number is given to the substituent that comes first in alphabetical order.
Nomenclature of alkynes:
Common system: The first member of the alkyne family is named as acetylene.
HC CH
The other alkynes are named as substituted acetylenes (mono or disubstituted acetylene)
e.g.
CH3 – C CH Methylacetylene
CH3 ─CH2 ─C CH Ethylacetylene
CH3─C C ─CH3 Dimethylacetylene
CH3 ─CH2─ C C ─CH2 ─CH3 Diethylacetylene.
IUPAC system:
The following steps are followed for IUPAC nomenclature of alkynes:
The longest continuous chain of carbon atoms in the molecule containing the triple bond is
selected. This is regarded as the parent chain and it gives the name of the parent hydrocarbon.
The ending 'ane' of the alkane corresponding to the longest chain is changed to 'yne'. The
other carbon atoms not included in the parent chain (if any) are regarded as the substituents.
The substituents are alkane molecules with one less hydrogen atom. Hence, they are named
by replacing 'ane' in its name by 'yl'. The position of each substituent is designated by the
number of the carbon atom to which it is attached. The position number is written before the
name of the alkyl group, which is separated using hyphens. The substituent is written
before the parent name.
If two or more similar substituents are present, then the prefix di (for 2), tri (for 3), tetra (for
4), etc., are used before the name of the substituents and the position of each substituent is
specified and separated by commas.
If two or more different substituents are present, they are named in the alphabetical order
along with their appropriate positions.
If the compound contains two or more different substituents at equivalent positions from the
two ends of the parent chain (and from the triple bond) they are numbered in such a way that
the least possible number is given to the substituent that comes first in alphabetical order.
The following IUPAC rules are followed for the nomenclature of organic compounds
containing a functional group.
1. Identification of the functional group : The functional group in the molecule is first
identified
The functional group along with its position is indicated as a prefix or suffix of the
parent alkanes. The prefixes (or suffixes) used for the functional groups is given in the
table below:
Amide – amide(s)
The rules for naming the substituents are same as that for alkanes.
If functional groups such as – CHO, – COOH, – COOR, – CONH2 – CN etc., which
contain a carbon atom and have only one free valency, are present in the molecule, the
numbering of the parent chain starts from the carbon atom of the functional group.
If a halogen atom is present in addition to the functional group in the molecule, the
halogen is treated as a substituent and is indicated by the prefix 'halo'.
e.g.
II. Nomenclature for organic compounds containing functional group, multiple bonds
and substituents:
In case the organic compound contains a functional group multiple bond and substituent, the
naming is done with due preference in the following order:
III. Nomenclature for organic compounds containing more than one functional group:
Similar rules as discussed in naming of compounds containing one functional group are
applied for naming compounds with two functional groups with slight modifications.
Rules
Isomerism
Structural Stereoisomerism
Isomerism
Geometrical Optical
Isomerism Isomerism
CH3
Cl
Cl
1,2-Dichlorobenzene 1,3-Dichlorobenzene 1,4-dichlorobenzene
Cl
4. Metamerism: It is the isomerism in the same homologous series. It is due to the presence
of different alkyl groups attached to the same polyvalent functional group or atom (i.e.,
─O─, ─S─, ─NH─ and ─CO─). These isomers have different structural formulae due to
different alkyl groups on either side of the functional group are called metamers and
phenomenon is called metamerism.
Examples:
CH3CH2─O─CH2CH3 CH3─O─CH2CH2CH3
Diethyl ether Methyl propyl ether
O O
CH3CH2 C CH2CH3 CH3CH2CH2 C CH3
3-pentanone 2-pentanone
H H
Ketoform Enolform
O OH
CH3 C H CH2 C H
O OH
Cyclohexanone Cyclohex-1-en-1-ol
(Ketoform, 99%) (Enolform,1%
O O OH O
C6H12 Hexene
Cyclohexane Methylcyclopentane
Stereoisomerism
Stereoisomerism is a phenomenon in which compounds having and same molecular and
structural formula but different relative arrangement of atoms or groups in space
(configuration) are called stereoisomers and the phenomenon is known as stereoisomerism.
Stereoisomers have the same connectivity, but different arrangements of atoms in space. It
is classified into:
Geometrical isomerism is possible only when each of the double bonded carbon
atoms is attached with two different atoms or groups. (abC═Cab).
Geometrical isomerism is not possible where all the four groups attached to double
bonded carbons are different (abC═Cde).
Similar atoms or groups on the same side of the double bonded carbon are called ‘cis’
isomers and similar atoms or groups on the opposite side of the double bonded carbon
are called’trans’ isomers.
C C C C
H H H Cl
cis- 1,2-Dichloroethene trans- 1,2-Dichloroethene
COOH H
C C C C
H H H COOH
Cinnamic acid Cinnamic acid
(cis) (trans)
HOOC COOH HOOC H
C C C C
H H H COOH
Maleic acid Fumaric acid
(cis) MP = 403K (trans) MP = 575K
C C C C
H H H Cl
cis- 1,2-Dichloroethene cis- 1,2-Dichloroethene
B.P.= 333K B.P.= 320.5K
D D
H3C CH3 H3 C H
C C C C
H H H CH3
cis- But-2-ene trans-But-2-ene.
B.P.= 279 K B.P.= 274 K
D D
HOOC COOH HOOC H
C C C C
H H H COOH
Maleic acid Fumaric acid
(cis) MP = 403K (trans) MP = 575K
E and Z system of nomenclature: ‘cis’ and ‘trans’ designations cannot be used for highly
substituted alkenes if four different atoms or groups are attached to the carbon atoms of a
double bond i.e., abC═Cde type.
B D
C C
A E
In such cases. E and Z system of nomenclature is used. This system is based on a priority
system developed by Cahn, Ingold and Prelog.
In this system, the two atoms or groups attached to each of the doubly bonded carbon
are put in order of priority on the basis of sequence rule.
(i) The symbol ‘E’ is assigned to an isomer in which the atoms or groups of higher priority
are on the opposite side. E (from the German entgegen) means "opposed" in the sense of
"opposite".
(ii) The symbol ‘Z’ is assigned to an isomer in which the atoms or groups of higher priority
are on the same side. Z (from the German zusammen) means "together" .
C C C C
2 1 2 2
E-isomer Z-isomer
F Br 2 2
C C C C
Cl I 1 1
Z-isomer Z-isomer
F I 2 1
C C C C
Cl Br 1 2
E-isomer E-isomer
Sequence rules:
1. Higher priority is assigned to the atoms of higher atomic number. For example, the order
of priority in the following atoms
I (A.No = 53) > Br (A.No = 35) > Cl (A.No= 17) > F (A.No =9) > H (A.No=1)
2. If isotopes of same atomic element are attached, the isotope with higher mass number is
given higher order of priority. For example, tritium(3T1) is given higher priority than
deuterium (2D1). Deuterium is given higher priority than hydrogen (1H1).
Tritium(3T1) > Deuterium (2D1) > Hydrogen(1H1)
3. In the group the order of priority is also decided on the basis of atomic number of the first
atoms of the group. For example, in the following set,
─Cl, ─OH, ─COOH, ─NHCH3, ─SO3H,
The order of priority is :
5. A doubly or triply bonded atom is considered equivalent to two or three such atoms. For
example:
N
C O is equal to C O , C N is equal to C N
O N
Examples:
The racemic mixture is 50:50 mixture of d and l -isomersisomers and hence have zero optical
rotation as the rotation due to one enantiomer cancels the rotation due to the other. That
is racemic mixture is optically inactive due to external compensation.
Dextro rotatory lactic acid may be obtained from meat extract and is known aas sarcolactic
acid. During muscular activity glycogen present in muscles break down to sarcolactic acid.
During rest sarcolactic acid is converted back to glycoge
glycogen.
Leavo rotatory lactic acid may be obtained by the fermentation of sucrose by Bacillus Acidi
laevolactiti. Ordinary lactic acid in sour milk or manufactured by fermentation or by synthetic
method is racemic mixture.
Example 2: Glyceraldehyde:
(i) Dextro-tartaric acid (d-form): This rotates the plane polarised light to the right. Both the
asymmetric carbon atoms reinforce each other and cause the rotation of plane polarised light
in the same direction, i.e., towards right. It has no plane of symmetry. It occurs in nature and
is obtained from tamarind and grapes.
(ii) Laevo-tartaric acid (l-form): This rotates the plane polarised light to the left. Both the
asymmetric carbon atoms rotate the plane polarised light in the same direction, i.e., towards
left. It also has no plane of symmetry. It is obtained by resolving racemic tartaric acid. Both
d-form and l-forms are enantiomers.
(iii) Meso-tartaric acid: It possesses a plane of symmetry and is optically inactive form.
One of the asymmetric carbon atom turns the plane polarised light to the right and other to
the left and to the same extent. The rotation due to upper half is compensated by the lower
half, i.e., internally compensated. It does not occur in nature and cannot be resolved into d-
and l-forms. It is obtained by synthetic methods.
A carbon atom which is bonded to four different atoms or groups in the molecule is called
Chiral carbon or asymmetric carbon atom (chiral centre).
COOH
H C* OH
Chiral
CH3 centre
d-Lactic acid
Diastereomers:
FISCHER PROJECTION:
Emil Fischer (1891) provided an easy method to represent the three dimensional formulae of
organic molecules on paper. Thus, Fisher projection is a planar (two dimensional)
representation of the three dimensional structure. The important rules are:
(i) The carbon chain of the compound is arranged vertically with the most oxidised carbon at
the top.
(ii) The asymmetric carbon atom is in the paper plane and is represented at the interaction of
crossed lines.
Asymmetric
1 carbon atom
3 4 C
(iii) Vertical lines represent bonds going away from the observer, i.e., groups attached to the
vertical lines are present behind the plane of the paper.
(iv) Horizontal lines represent bonds coming towards the observer, i.e., groups attached to the
horizontal lines are present above the plane of the paper. Examples:
Prepared by: Dr. Shaik Ramjan Vali
Dept. Of Industrial Chemistry
AASTU-ETHIOPIA.[Type text] Page 32
CH3 H3C
H C OH HO C H
CH2CH3 H3CH2C
Step 2: If two of atoms attached to the chiral central are same and their priority sequence is
unable to be decided on the basis of rule 1, in such cases the relative priorities can be decided
by comparing the second (or even third) atom of the respective group as mentioned in E and
Z nomenclature of alkenes..
CH33 CH2CH32
H4 Br1
Butan-2-ol 2-Bromobutane
Step 3 : This is an extension of rule II. If the second atom is attached by double bond or
triple bond, then double bonds are treated as they have two single bonds and triple bonds
have three single bonds respectively. In other words, each double bonded atom is duplicated
and triply bonded atom is triplicated. Thus,
N
C O becomes C O , C N becomes C N
O N
If the chiral carbon contains phenyl groups in addition to double bond and triple bonded
groups, then the priority order is as follows
H O
C2
4
H C OH1
3
CH2OH
Step 4: After deciding the priority of four atoms or groups attached to the chirality centre, the
molecule (formula) is now rotated so that the group of lowest priority (4) is directed away
from the eye (viewer). The arrangement of remaining three groups is viewed in decreasing
order of their priorities, i.e., from 1 to2 to 3. In looking so, if the eye travels in a clockwise
direction, the configuration is specified as R (Latin word rectus meaning right), while in case
eye travels in the anticlockwise direction, the configuration is specified as S ( Lation word
sinister meaning left). Examples: Lactic acid, Bromochloroiodomethane.
2
2
COOH 2
COOH 2
Br Br
C* C* C* C*
4
H 3
CH3
4
H OH1 4
H 3
Cl
4
H I1
1 3
OH 3
CH3 I Cl
R- (clockwise) S- (anticlockwise) R- (clockwise) S- (anticlockwise)
Lactic acid Bromochloroiodomethane
─I, ─Br, ─Cl, ─SO3H, ─SH, F, ─OR, ─OH, ─NO2, ─NR2, ─NHR, ─NH2, ─COOR,
─COOH, ─CONH2, ─COCH3, ─CHO, ─CH2OH, ─CN, ─CR3, C6H5─, ─C≡CH,
─CH═CH2, ─CH2R, ─CH3, ─D and ─H.
When the molecule contains more than one chiral centre, the same procedure is
applied in each.
Step1: Assign priorities to the four atoms or groups attached to chiral centre.
Step2: Apply priority rules. The lowest priority H or group is placed vertically (upward or
downward ) in the Fischer projection and directed away from the viewer.
Step 3: Determine the direction of rotation while going from priority group 1 to 2 to 3 and
assign R or S configuration. This step is carried out in four different ways:
(i) When atom or group of lowest priority is at the bottom of vertical line: Move the eye
in order of decreasing priority to determine the configuration.
2 2
2
COOH 2
COOH CHO CHO
3 1
HO1 C 3
CH3 3
CH3 C OH1 HO1 C CH2OH HOH2C3 C OH
H4 H4 H4 H4
R-Lactic acid S-Lactic acid R-Glyceraldehyde S-Glyceraldehyde
(ii) When atom or group of lowest priority is at the top of vertical line: In this case rotate
the entire molecule through 180, so that the atoms or groups of lowest priority come at the
bottom. Now, move the eye in order of decreasing priority to determine the configuration.
2
H4 CHO
3
Rotate 180o 1
HO1 C CH2OH HOH2C3 C OH
2
CHO H4
S-Glyceraldehyde
(iii) When atom or group of lowest priority is at the left hand side on the horizontal line:
In this case without changing the position at the top of vertical line, change the positions of
other atoms or groups in anticlockwise direction till the group of lowest priority comes at the
bottom of vertical line. Now, note the movement of eye in order of decreasing priority to
determine the configuration.
(iv) When atom or group of lowest priority is at the right hand side on the horizontal
line: In this case without changing the position at the top of vertical line, change the positions
of other atoms or groups in clockwise direction till the group of lowest priority comes at the
bottom of vertical line. Now, note the movement of eye in order of decreasing priority to
determine the configuration.
2
2
CHO CHO
(iii) When the molecule can be divided into equal halves (symmetrical) and the number (n)
of asymmetric carbon atoms is odd, then
The word polymer is derived from the Greek word Poly meaning many and meros meaning
parts. Polymers are high molecular mass compounds formed by polymerization of large
number of simple repeating chemical units. The simple repeating low molecular mass
chemical units are called monomers (mono = one). A polymer may be defined as “a number
of repeating chemical units held together by covalent bonds.” The process of joining of a
large number of simple molecules (monomers) in a regular fashion to make high molecular
mass polymer through covalent bonds is termed as polymerization, Polymers are also called
macromolecules (macro = large), which have very high molecular masses.
What is a Plastic?: A polymer that can be molded when hot and regains its shape when
cooled. Smaller species formed by the process of polymerisation of a monomer are referred
to dimer, trimer, tetramer, pentamer .......... polymer, etc depending on the number of
monomer units.
Monomer A
Dimer Two monomer units A─A
Trimer Three monomer units A─A─A
Tetramer Four monomer units A─A─A─A
Pentamer Five monomer units A─A─A─A─A
Polymer Large no. of monomer (A)n
Example: High molecular mass (about 20,000) polyethylene can be obtained by heating
ethylene under pressure with oxygen. This compound is made up of many ethylene units
(monomers) and hence is called polyethylene.
473K, 1500 atm.
nH2C CH2 ......CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 ........or
(Oxygen)
H2C CH2
Ethene n
Polythene
Where n is called degree of polymerization.
Homopolymers and Co-Polymers: Polymers are divided into two categories depending
upon the nature of the repeating structural units.
Table-2. CO-POLYMERS
S. Name of the Co- Monomer Uses
No polymer
1. Synthetic rubber or H2C = CH─C6H5 In the manufacture of tyres,
Styrene butadiene rubber Styrene belting, hoses and rubber
(SBR) or (Buna-S) + soles.
H2C = CH─ HC = CH2
Buta-1,3-diene
HO─H2C ─ CH2─OH
3. Glyptal (Polyester) Ethylene glycol In the manufacture of paints
+ and lacquers.
Phthalic acid
HOOC(CH2)4COOH
4. Nylon-6,6 Adipic acid In the manufacture of fabrics,
(Polyamide) + tyre cords, ropes, carpets, etc.,
H2N(CH2)6NH2
Hexamethylenediamine
HCHO + C6H5─OH
5. Bakelite (Formaldehyde Formaldehyde + Phenol In the manufacture of
resin) electrical goods, phonograph
records, insulators, fountain
pen barrels, combs, etc.
HCHO
6. Melamine-formaldehyde Formaldehyde In the manufacture of plastic
resin or Melmac + crockery.
Melamine
HO─H2C ─ CH2─OH
7. Polyurethane Ethylene glycol In the manufacture of fibres,
+ paints and heat insulators.,
OCN─HC = CH─NCO etc.,
Ethylene di-isocyanate
1.Classification based upon source or origin: On the basis of their origin, polymers may be
classified into three groups:
(ii) Synthetic polymers: These are man made polymers, i,e.,polymers synthesized in
laboratory. A list of synthetic polymers are given in tables 1 & 2.
2.Classification based upon synthesis: On the basis of made of synthesis, polymers are
classified into four types:
nMonomer Polymers
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Dept. Of Industrial Chemistry
AASTU-ETHIOPIA.[Type text] Page 42
nEthene polythene
H H H H H H H H
I C C C C C C C C
Initiator H H H H H H H H
H H H H H H H H
I C C C C C C C C
H H H H H H H H
H Cl Cl H Cl H Cl H
C C + C C + C C + C C
H H H H H H H H
H Cl Cl H Cl H Cl H
C C C C C C C C
H H H H H H H H
n
PVC
(i) Chain growth addition polymerization: It involves a series of reactions each of which
consumes a reactive particle and produces another similar one.The chain growth
polymerisation initiate either by free radicals or ions (cations or anions) to which
monomers get added by a chain reaction. Molecular weight increases by successively adding
monomers to a reactive polymer chain end. The polymers thus, formed are known as chain
growth polymers. It is an important reaction of alkenes and conjugated dienes. Polythene,
polypropylene, teflon (PTFE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, are some examples of
chain growth addition polymers.
(i) Chain initiation: Organic peroxides undergo homolytic fission in the presence of light or
heat to form free radicles. The important peroxide which generate free radicals are alkyl
peroxides, bezoyl peroxide and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN).
CN CN CN
CH3 C N N C CH3 2 CH3 C + N2
(ii) Chain propagation: Free radicals add to an alkene (ethene) molecule to form a new
alkyl radical.
The alkyl free radical formed attacks another alkene molecule and the process continues in
building a long chain.
(iii) Chain termination: The chain reaction comes to stop when two radical chains combine
(coupling of two radical chains) or chain termination occurs by disproportionation.
(a) Coupling : Coupling of two polymer radical chains stops the reaction.
Cationic polymerizations are most common with monomers with electron-donating groups.
OR SR
Styrene Isobutylene Vinyl ethers Vinyl thioethers
Polyester: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), is made from terephthalic acid and ethylene
glycol monomers:
Polyamide: Nylon-66: This polymer is formed by condensation of adipic acid with hexa
methylene diamine), It has 12 carbon atoms in it’s polymer structure, 6 from each of the two
monomers; Hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid . Hence it is referred to as Nylon 6,6.
In contrast, polymerization by the use of Ziegler – Natta catalyst proceed under mild
conditions produces unbranched, highly compact (ordered) and stereoregular polymers called
isotactic polymers. The reaction proceed via Coordination polymerization..
Example 2. Isoprene was polymerized by Ziegler catalyst to a substance identical with natural
rubber.
Me Me
Ziegler-Natta Cat.
nCH2 C CH C 2
CH (CH2 C CH CH2) n
1000C, 10 atm
Isoprene cis-1,4-Polyisopren
ne
(Rubber)
(iv) Ring–Opening
Opening polymerization (ROP): A reaction in which a cyclic monomer can react
by opening its ring system and form a longer polymeric chain is called Ring Ring-opening
polymerization. The reaction is initiated by radicals or anionic or cationic method.
method
(A) is an unstressed polymer; (B) is the same polymer under stress. When the stress is
removed, it will return to the A configuration. (The dots represent cross
cross-links)
ii) Fibres: These are the polymers which have quite strong intermolecular forces such as
hydrogen bonding. These polymers can be used for making fibre as their molecules are long
and thread like. Nylon-6,6
6,6 polymer, terylene or Dacron and polyacrylonitrile (orlon), etc., are
some important example of this ty
type.
(iii) Thermoplastics: These are the polymers in which the intermolecular forces of attraction
are neither very strong nor very weak and there are no cross
cross-links
links between the chains. These
can be easily moulded by heating i.e., a thermoplastic polymer iss one which soften on heating
and becomes hard on cooling. Because their bonds are weak, thermoplastic polymers readily
3. These are ductile and soluble in some These are more brittle and insoluble in
organic solvents. organic solvents.
iv) Thermosetting polymers: These are polymers in which extensive cross-links are formed
between polymer chains on heating. A thermosetting polymer becomes hard on heating. Such
polymers are prepared in two steps. The first step is the formation of long chain molecules
which are capable of further reaction with each other. The second step is the application of
heat which causes a reaction to occur between the chains, thus, producing a complex cross-
linked polymer. Bakelite, vulcanised rubber are examples of thermosetting polymer
OH OH OH
CH2OH
Polymerization CH2
n
n
Novolac
Linear polymer
Novolac on heating with HCHO undergo cross-linkage to form a solid called Bakelite
Bakelite is used for making combs, fountain pens, phonograph records, electrical goods,etc.
Soft bakelites with low degree of polymerization are used as binding glue for lamination,
wooden plants and in varnishes and lacquers. Sulphonated bakelites are used as ion-exchange
resins.
Natural Rubber:
It is a polymer which is obtained from rubber trees in the form of a milky sap known
as latex. The latex is coagulated with acetic acid or formic acid. The coagulated mass
is then squeezed.
The raw natural rubber is a soft, gummy and sticky mass. It is insoluble in water,
dilute acids and alkalies but soluble in benzene, chloroform, ether, petrol and carbon
disulphide. It absorbs a large amount of water. It has low elasticity and low tensile
strength. It breaks when too much stretched.
Natural rubber is a hydrocarbon polymer. It has the composition(C5H8)n. Destructive
distillation of natural rubber gives mainly Isoprene (2-methyl buta-1,3-diene).
Me
CH2 C CH CH2 =
Isoprene Isoprene
(2-methyl buta-1,3-diene).
Isoprene n
Cis-Polyisoprene Repeat unit
There are weak vaan der Walls’ forces and therefore, it is elastic and non-crystalline.
Gutta-Percha (getah means gum and percha means tree) is naturally occurring
isomer of rubber in which all the double bonds are trans. So, Gutta-Percha is all
trans-polyisoprene. It is non-elastic and non-crystalline
Vulcanization of Rubber: Natural rubber is soft and sticky and therefore, in order to give
strength and elasticity natural rubber is vulcanized. Vulcanization is a process of treating
natural rubber with sulphur or hydrogen sulphide, or some compounds of sulphur (like SF6)
under heat as to modify its properties, i.e., to render it non-plastic and to give greater
elasticity and ductility. The sulphur reacts with the polymer molecules forming a cross-linked
network. This cross-linking gives mechanical strength to the rubber.
Synthetic Rubber: They are more flexible, tougher and durable than natural rubber.
Neoprene, Buna-S and Cis-polybuta-1,3-diene are some examples of synthetic rubber.
Many of the properties of neoprene are similar to natural rubber, but neoprene is more
resistant to action of oils, gasoline and other hydrocarbons. It is also resistant to sunlight,
oxygen, ozone, and heat. It is non-inflammable.
It is therefore, used for making automobile and refrigwrator parts, petrol and oil containers,
insulation of electrical wires and conveyor belts.
(b) Buna-S (SBR – Styrene butadiene rubber): Buna-S rubber is a co-polymer of three
moles of butadiene and one mole of styrene. In Buna-S, ‘Bu’ stands for butadiene, ‘na’ for
symbol of sodium (Na) which is polymerizing agent and ‘S’ stands for styrene. It is an
elastomer.
Buna-S is generally compounded with carbon black and vulcanized with sulphur. It is
extremely resistant to wear and rear and therefore, used in the manufacture of tyres and other
mechanical rubber goods.It is obtained as a result of free radical co-polymerization of its
monomers.