Applications of Organic Chemistry

a material capable of being shaped or formed, usually an organic material of high molecular weight

a chemical molecule made up of repeating links of smaller identical molecules. “macro-molecules”

all plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics

wood, wool, cotton, starch, rubber, skin, hair

60,000+ known plastics

named based on repeating structure of the monomers, each are given a recycling code

all but PETE are formed by addition polymerization reactions

has branching which is why it has a low density (you can’t condense it)

more linear, little/no branching, bigger than LDPE, organized in parallel chains, high density because a lot more can fit in a certain volume.

because HDPE is more ordered it has…
-higher density
-more rigidity
-greater strength
-higher melting point

most come from petroleum

-main process used to form plastics.
-a heated plastic compound is forced continuously through a forming die made in the desired shape
-plastic fibers are made like this

-second most widely used way to form plastics
-plastic compound is heated to a semi fluid, squirted into a mold under great pressure and hardens quickly. it pops out in the shape of the mold

pressure is used to form hollow objects like bottles

100 billion pounds

1) incineration – pros: quick, can recover some energy. cons: fumes and environmental impact
2) biodegration – cons: doesn’t work quickly
3) reuse
4) recycle
5) source reduction – limiting plastics in the first place

first polymers
wood, hair, tar, shellac, tortoise shells, amber, latex

vulcanized rubber
celluloid

-developed by Charles Goodyear in 1839
-uses sulfur to connect/crosslink with polymer chains which increases strength, durability, and heat resistance
-EX: tires, sneakers, hockey pucks

-cellulose (wood) + camphor (laurel tree)
-EX: film, collars of priests, guitar picks

-bakelite
-nylon
-silly putty

-first synthetic polymer
-EX: jewelry, home decor, telephone

-developed by Walter Carothers at Dupoint
-able to be drawn into strong smooth filaments
-EX: stockings, toothbrush bristles, fishing wire
-used for WWII
-EX: clothing, parachutes, rope

silicone oil + boric acid

to color or strain something (fabric, hair, etc) by soaking it in a coloring solution so that it takes on a new color permanently or semi permanently. it is a chemical change

as you wash a material, the color stays

does not fade in the light

comes from carnivorous murex mollusks’ mucus that comes in contact with the sun and turns purple

first synthetic dye

dye molecules bond directly to the fabric

use a heavy metal salt (mordant) which binds to the fabric. Then the dye bonds to the mordant.
-different mordant = different color

-different fabric = different color for all types of dying
-different fabric structures offer different binding sites

-code number: 1
-full name: polyethylene teraphthalate
-repeating monomer: ethylene teraphthalate, C10H8O2
-characteristics: colorless, resin, light weight, good moisture barrier
-EX: drink containers, peanut butter and salad dressing containers

-code number: 2
-full name: high density polyethylene
-repeating monomer: ethylene, C2H4
-characteristics: really strong, hard, opaque, cm withstand high temps
-EX: milk jugs, yogurt containers, shampoo, butter, household cleaner bottles

-code number: 3
-full name: polyvinyl chloride
-repeating monomer: vinyl chloride, C2H3Cl
-characteristics: hard, good insulator, resistant to acid, salts, bases, fats, and alcohols
-EX: window cleaner bottles, cooking oil bottles, plumbing, piping, bubble wrap

-code number: 4
-full name: low density polyethylene
-repeating monomer: ethylene, C2H4
-characteristics: nonreactive, flexible, soft
-EX: grocery bags, 6 pack rings

-code number: 6
-full name: polystyrene
-repeating monomer: double bonded C, one benzene, 3 H
-characteristics: rigid, brittle
-EX: egg cartons, eating utencils

-code number: 5
-full name: polypropylene
-repeating monomer: 1-propene
-characteristics: heat resistant, opaque, rigid, impermeable to liquids and gasses
-EX: diapers, auto trim, clothes and carpeting

nylon, mylar, kevlar, polyester, PVC, acrylic