2 Synthetic and Biological Polymers Polymers: Macromolecules
formed by the covalent attachment of a set of small molecules
termed monomers. Polymers are classified as: (1)Man-made or
synthetic polymers that are synthesized in the laboratory;
(2)Biological polymer that are found in nature. Synthetic polymers:
nylon, poly-ethylene, poly-styrene Biological polymers: DNA,
proteins, carbohydrates
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3 Methods for making polymers Addition polymerization and
condensation polymerization Addition polymerization: monomers react
to form a polymer without net loss of atoms. Most common form: free
radical chain reaction of ethylenes n monomersone polymer
molecule
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200 C 2000 atm O 2 peroxidespolyethylene H2CH2CH2CH2C CH 2
Free-Radical AdditionPolymerization of Ethylene
Likewise... H 2 C=CHCl polyvinyl chloride H 2 C=CHC 6 H 5
polystyrene F 2 C=CF 2 Teflon
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14 Important constitutions for synthetic polymers
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15 Supramolecular structure of polymers
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16 Structural properties of linear polymers: conformationa l
flexibility and strength
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17 Cross linking adds tensile strength
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18 Condensation polymerization Condensation polymerization: the
polymer grows from monomers by splitting off a small molecule such
as water or carbon dioxide. Example: formation of amide links and
loss of water Monomers First unit of polymer + H 2 O
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19
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20 Supramolecular Structure of nylon Intermolecular hydrogen
bonds give nylon enormous tensile strength Hydrogen bonds between
chains
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21 Biopolymers Nucleic acid polymers (DNA, RNA) Amino acids
polymers (Proteins) Sugar polymers (Carbohydrates) Genetic
information for the cell: DNA Structural strength and catalysis:
Proteins Energy source: Carbohydrates
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Proteins: amino acid monomers The difference between amino
acids is the R group The basic structure of an amino acid
monomer
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23
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24 Proteins: condensation polymers Formed by condensation
polymerization of amino acids Monomers: 20 essential amino acids
Glycine (R = H) + Glycine First step toward poly(glycine) General
structure of an amino acid R is the only variable group
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25 Representation of the constitution of a protein
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26 Three D representation of the structure of a protein
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DNA
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28 The monomers: Adenine (A) Thymine (T) Guanine (G) Cytosine
(C) Phosphate- Sugar (backbone) of DNA
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29 Phosphate- sugar backbone holds the DNA macromolecule
together
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30 One strand unwinds to duplicate its complement via a
polymerization of the monomers C, G, A and T