Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level · Polymerisation

Polymerisation — practice question

Super-absorbent polymers can take up 200-300 times their own mass in water. These polymers are usually produced by polymerising compound K with sodium hydroxide in the presence of an initiator.
(a(i))

Explain what the term polymerisation means.

(a(ii))

What type of polymerisation is used in the formation of hydrogels?

(a(iii))[3]

Describe the changes in chemical bonding that happen during the polymerisation of K.

(b)[1]

Acrylic acid is the common name of compound K. Suggest the systematic (chemical) name of K.

(c(i))

Draw the structure of at least two repeat units of the polymer produced by the method above from acrylic acid, K, when it is mixed with NaOH.

(c(ii))[4]

The C-C-C bond angle in compound K changes when the polymer is made. State and explain how the C-C-C bond angle differs between a molecule of K and the polymer.

(d(i))[2]

Draw a detailed diagram of part of the polymer you showed in (c)(i) to explain how it can take up a large volume of water.

(d(ii))[4]

A student added $0.10\,\text{g}$ of the polymer to $10\,\text{cm}^3$ of aqueous copper(II) sulfate solution. Predict, with a reason, what you would observe.

(e(i))[2]

Name the two functional groups in compound $L$, $\text{CH}_2=\text{CHCONH}_2$.

(e(ii))[1]

Suggest a reagent for step 1.

(e(iii))[1]

What other product is made in step 2?

(e(iv))[1]

State the reagents and conditions needed to re-form $K$ from $L$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 19-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: A polymer is formed when many monomers join together

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