A-Level Chemistry: Polymers Syllabus

A summary of the typical polymers content covered in UK A-level Chemistry.

Overview

The polymers section usually focuses on how polymers are made, how to draw and identify repeating units, how polymer structure affects properties, and how polymers are disposed of or recycled sustainably.

1. Addition Polymers

  • Alkenes form addition polymers through polymerisation.
  • The carbon-carbon double bond opens and links monomers into a long chain.
  • Students should be able to draw the repeating unit from a monomer and work backwards to identify the monomer from a polymer.
  • Students may also need to name addition polymers correctly.
  • Many addition polymers are chemically unreactive.

2. Condensation Polymers

  • Condensation polymers form when monomers join together and a small molecule is eliminated.
  • Polyesters are formed from dicarboxylic acids and diols.
  • Polyamides are formed from dicarboxylic acids and diamines.
  • Amino acids can also form condensation polymers.
  • Students should be able to draw repeating units, identify linkages, and work out the monomers from a polymer structure.

3. Intermolecular Forces and Properties

  • Students may need to explain why polyalkenes are relatively unreactive.
  • They may also need to describe the intermolecular forces present in different polymers.
  • These forces help explain the properties and uses of polymer materials.

4. Hydrolysis and Biodegradability

  • Polyalkenes are generally non-biodegradable and difficult to break down.
  • Polyesters and polyamides can be hydrolysed.
  • This makes condensation polymers important in discussions of biodegradability.

5. Disposal, Recycling, and Sustainability

  • Students may study recycling methods for waste polymers.
  • Incineration and energy recovery may also be included.
  • Some specifications include the use of waste polymers as feedstock for cracking.
  • Environmental concerns include toxic gases from burning plastics.
  • Chemists aim to improve sustainability by designing biodegradable polymers and improving disposal methods.

Named Examples

  • poly(chloroethene) / PVC
  • Terylene
  • nylon 6,6
  • Kevlar

By Exam Board

AQA

Includes addition polymers, condensation polymers, and biodegradability/disposal of polymers.

Edexcel

Covers addition polymerisation, polyesters, polyamides, and polymer disposal and sustainability.

OCR A

Lists polymers in Module 6: Organic chemistry and analysis, including addition and condensation polymer content.

One-Sentence Summary

The polymers syllabus is mainly about addition polymerisation, condensation polymerisation, repeat units, polymer properties, hydrolysis, biodegradability, recycling, and sustainability.