Organic Chemistry: Synthetic and Naturally Occurring Polymers

General Overview

Organic chemistry is concerned with the study of the properties and reactions of carbon-based compounds, which includes polymers.
A polymer is a large molecule made up of repeating subunits known as monomers.
Polymers can be found in both synthetic and natural forms.

Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers are man-made polymers, created through a process known as polymerisation.
They are typically derived from petroleum oil and include substances like plastics and resins.
Examples of synthetic polymers include polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which have a range of uses from packaging to piping.

Naturally Occurring Polymers

Naturally occurring polymers, also known as biopolymers, are found in nature and include substances such as proteins, nucleic acids, and cellulose.
These polymers play crucial roles in biological processes and structures - proteins in muscle contractions, nucleic acids in heredity, and cellulose in the structure of plants.

Addition and Condensation Polymerisation

Polymers are formed through a process called polymerisation and can happen through addition or condensation processes.
Addition polymerisation involves the linking together of unsaturated monomer units in a process that includes a catalyst and heat, with no other byproducts.
Condensation polymerisation is a process in which monomers with two functional groups join together with the loss of a small molecule like water or HCl.

Properties of Polymers

The properties of polymers like flexibility, resilience, and durability depend on the nature of the monomer units and how they are connected.
Chemical properties like reactivity are determined by the availability of bonding sites on the polymer.
The physical and chemical properties of polymers can be modified through a process known as copolmerisation, where two different types of monomers are used in the polymerisation process.

Environmental Impact of Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers, particularly plastics, have a significant environmental impact due to their non-biodegradable nature and the pollution caused during their production and disposal.
Efforts are being made to produce biodegradable plastics and to recycle plastics to reduce their environmental impact.

Uses of Polymers

Polymers have a wide range of applications due to their versatile properties - they are used in manufacturing, medicine, agriculture, and more.
Synthetic polymers like plastics are used in packaging, insulation, and clothing, while natural polymers like proteins and cellulose have roles in food production and the textile industry.