Question

discuss polymerization reaction by giving examples.what are biopolymers ?

Answer 1

The process of formation of polymer from respective monomers is called polymerization.The smallest unit that repeatedly combines to form the polymer is termed as monomer.

Depending upon the mechanism polymerization reactions are broadly classified into two types.

1). Condensation or step growth polymerization

2). Addition or chain growth polymerization.

Condensation polymerization

The condensation occurs between molecules having poly fuctional groups and leads to the formation of high molecular mass polymer. This polymerization reactions result in the loss of some simple molecules like water,hydrogen halide,alcohol, etc

Example: Polyester, polyamides,Bakelite, melamine

Mechanism: Terylene, also called Dacron,is the best known example of polyester. It is a copolymer.It is manufactured by heating a mixture of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol at 450K in the presence of zinc acetate antinomy trioxide catalyst

.

Addition polymerization

The process in which the molecules of same or different monomer s add together on a large scale to form polymer.

I) Ionic polymerization ,example: polyvinyl compound

ii)Free radical polymerization

Ex: Polymerization of ethylene to polythene on heating a mixture of ethylene and Small amount of benzoyl peroxide.

Biopolymers: These polymers have functional groups, which have biological activity and present in live body.

Example: Lipids, proteins.