CIE A Level Chemistry

Topic Questions

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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7.7 Polymerisation (A Level Only)

1a2 marks

This question is about condensation polymers.

State the names of two classes of organic molecules that can take part in condensation polymerisation.

1b1 mark

Draw the structure of the dicarboxylic acid whose formula is C4H6O4. The functional groups should be displayed clearly.

1c1 mark

State the IUPAC name of the dicarboxylic acid in part (b)

1d2 marks

Draw one repeat unit of the polymer formed when C4H6O polymerises with diethylamine, H2NCH2CH2NH2.

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2a2 marks

The structure of a synthetic polyester is shown below.

6-6_q2a-ocr-a-as--a-level-easy-sq

Deduce the structures of two monomers used to make this polyester.

2b1 mark

One of the monomers is called benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid. State the name of the other one.

2c1 mark

Name the other product of the reaction between the two monomers in part (b).

2d1 mark

Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid will also react to form a polyamide.

Which of the three molecules could react with benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid to form a polyamide?

6-6_q2d-ocr-a-as--a-level-easy-sq

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3a1 mark

This question is about hydrolysis of polymers.

What is meant by a hydrolysis reaction?

3b2 marks

Describe the reaction conditions and state what occurs to the polyester during acid hydrolysis.

3c2 marks

Outline the difference in the product(s) between acid and base hydrolysis of a polyester.

3d4 marks

Draw structures for the products of acid and base hydrolysis of the following polymer:


6-6_q3d-ocr-a-as--a-level-easy-sq

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1a1 mark

Polymers consist of monomers joined together by undergoing either addition or condensation polymerisation.

Fig. 1.1 shows a dicarboxylic acid and a diol that can be used in a general condensation polymerisation reaction.

3-2

Fig. 1.1

Draw one repeat unit for this polymerisation.

 

repeat unit

 

 

 

 

 

 
1b1 mark

In terms of n, state the number of molecules of water formed in the condensation polymerisation reaction of a general dicarboxylic acid and a general diol as shown in Fig. 1.1.

1c3 marks

Using displayed formulae, write the balanced equation for the condensation polymerisation of the two monomers, propanedioyl dichloride and butane-1,4-diol.

1d1 mark

Suggest an alternative pair of monomers that will produce the polymer from part (c).

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2a4 marks

Lactic acid has the structural formula, CH3CHOHCOOH.

i)
Name all the functional groups in lactic acid.
 
[1]
 
ii)
 Give the systematic name of lactic acid.
 
[1]
 
iii)
Lactic acid exhibits stereoisomers.
 
Draw three‑dimensional structures for the two stereoisomers of lactic acid.
Name this type of stereoisomerism.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
type of stereoisomerism ................................................................................
 
[2]
2b1 mark

Poly(lactic acid) is a thermoplastic polyester that can be prepared from lactic acid. It is a renewable material used widely in 3D printers.

Explain why lactic acid can be polymerised.

2c2 marks

Polylactic acid contains methyl groups.

i)
Draw the skeletal formula for three repeat units of poly(lactic acid).
 
[1]
 
ii)
Explain what happens to the chirality of lactic acid when it is polymerised.
 
[1]
2d2 marks

Poly(lactic) acid can be prepared using a different monomer.

Draw the skeletal formula of this monomer.

Give the systematic name of another monomer that could make poly(lactic acid).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

systematic name ................................................................................

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3a2 marks
One family of condensation polymers are the aramids, so called because of the arene rings that are linked together with amide bonds. Kevlar ® and Nomex ® are two common examples of aramids.

Kevlar ® has a variety of uses, including bulletproof vests and puncture resistant tyres, due to its strength and being lightweight. Nomex ® is most commonly used as a lining of the overalls worn by racing drivers and their pit crews as well as in the personal protective equipment of firefighters due to its flame resistant properties.

Nomex ® is made from 1,3-diaminobenzene and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid.

Draw the skeletal structures of these monomers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3b3 marks

Draw the structure of the Nomex ® polymer.

3c2 marks

Kevlar ® is made from 1,4-diaminobenzene and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid.

Draw two repeat units of the polymer to show the strongest intermolecular force in Kevlar ®. 

3d2 marks

State whether Kevlar ® or Nomex ® will have the higher melting point. 

Explain your answer.

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1a1 mark

Valylalanine shown in Fig. 1.1, is an example of a dipeptide composed of two amino acids, valine and alanine. 

When this compound is placed in acidic conditions, two species are formed. 

Draw one of these two species.  

5-3

Fig. 1.1

1b1 mark

A dipeptide made from the amino acids cysteine and tryptophan is shown in Fig.1.2 . Cysteine contains a sulphur molecule. 

7

Fig. 1.2

Draw the structure of the amino acid tryptophan.

1c3 marks

Amino acids such as serine shown in Fig. 1.3 will form polyamide links. Polyamides will contain the same type of links and these polymers can be used to form fibres suitable for weaving. Polymers formed from alkenes by additional polymerisation are usually took weak for this purpose.

8

Fig. 1.3

In terms of intermolecular forces between the polymer chains, explain why polyalkenes are not suitable to be used as fibres for weaving.

1d2 marks

Explain why the molecule NH2CH2CH2COCl can form a condensation polymer with itself. 

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2a3 marks

Nylon is an example of a synthetic polyamide and contains the same links as polypeptides. Nylon is the general name for a family of polyamides. A section of a nylon polymer is shown in Fig. 2.1. 

aqa-chemistry-trial-june

Fig 2.1

i)

Draw the structures of two monomers that could be used to make this nylon. 










 

[2]

ii)

State the type of polymerisation involved in the formation of this nylon. 

[1]

 

2b5 marks

Nylon can be used to make clothing. Suggest why nylon should be protected from spillages of strong acids and alkalis.

2c2 marks

Nomex shown in Fig. 2.2 has a higher melting point than nylon and is used to make the flame resistant body suits worn by racing drivers. 

Suggest a reason why the melting point of Nomex is higher than that of nylon.

10

Fig. 2.2

2d3 marks
i)
Draw the two monomers that are used to manufacture Nomex










 

[2]

ii)
State the formula of any by-products produced. 
[1]

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3a3 marks

Polyurethanes are polymers made by the reaction of a diisocyanate with a diol as shown in Fig. 3.1. R1 and R2 are hydrocarbon groups.

mU95oMdk_7-7-3--cie-ial-7-7-m-fig-3-1-polyurethane-lycra-

Fig. 3.1

Lycra® in Fig. 3.2 is a polyurethane formed from the diisocyanate P and HOCH2CH2OH.

5iGAO-WK_7-7-3--cie-ial-7-7-m-fig-3-1-polyurethane-lycra-
Fig. 3.2

i)
Give the molecular formula for P
 
[1]
 
ii)
Draw the repeat unit of Lycra®.
 
[2]
3b2 marks

Fibres of Lycra® are strong due to the intermolecular forces between the polymer chains. Complete the table to identify two intermolecular forces responsible for this property and the group(s) involved.

Intermolecular force Group(s) involved
   
   

3c2 marks

Name one example of each of the following types of polymer.

Type of polymer Example
Synthetic polyamide  
Synthetic polyester  

3d2 marks

Fig. 3.3 shows the repeat unit of Nylon 66.

 
7-7-3d-m-hydrolysis-of-nylon-66-a
 
Fig. 3.3
 

Draw the two products from the hydrolysis of Nylon 66.

 

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4a3 marks
i)
Name an example of a synthetic polyester and a synthetic polyamide.
 
polyester
 
[1]
 
polyamide
 
[1]
 
ii)
Polyesters and polyamides are formed by condensation reactions.
 
Name a molecule which is commonly eliminated in such reactions.
 
[1]
4b4 marks
i)
The table shows the repeat units of a number of polymers. Place a tick () against the ones which are biodegradable.

7-7-4b-m--polymer

[2]

ii)
Draw the structures of two monomers used to form polymer B.
[2]
4c4 marks

A section of polypeptide was hydrolysed and the following amino acids were identified.

 
Amino Acid Formula
T CH3CH(NH2)CO2H
U C6H5CH2CH(NH2)CO2H
V H2N(CH2)4CH(NH2)CO2H
 
i)
Which of the amino acids T, U or V has the highest pH in an aqueous solution? Explain your answer.
 
Amino acid .............................
 
[1]
 
ii)
State how many different dipeptides could be formed from a reaction mixture consisting of amino acids T and U.
 
[1]
 
iii)
Polypeptides contain a high proportion of carbon and hydrogen in their structures, yet many are soluble in water. By referring to the structure of a polypeptide, explain why.
 
[2]

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