CHML212
Exp. 26 Synthesis and Analysis of Commercial Polymers
IN-LAB ASSIGNMENT: (EACH STUDENT will record the following data in his/her laboratory notebook in a well organized
manner during lab period. Yellow carbon copies will be submitted for grading along with Post-Lab assignment.) …..max
score = 20 pts.
6. Data/Calculations
a.
b.
c.
d.
Polyamide Synthesis
i. Diameter of test tube
ii. # test tube revolutions
iii. Length of nylon produced calculation
Linear Polyester Synthesis
i. Mass of phthalic anhydride used
ii. Mass of sodium acetate used
iii. Volume of ethylene glycol used
iv. Product appearance
Cross-Linked Polyester Synthesis
i. Mass of phthalic anhydride used
ii. Mass of sodium acetate used
iii. Volume of glycerol used
iv. Product appearance
Solubility Testing
i. Total volume of toluene used
ii. Total volume of acetone used
iii. Total volume of methanol used
7. In-lab Questions (The following question should be answered in laboratory notebook.)
a.
b.
Differentiate between a chain growth addition reaction and the step growth condensation reactions used to
produce the polymers described in this experiment. Give an example of a polymer produced using each
method.
List the intermolecular forces present in polystyrene, toluene, and nylon. Explain, in terms of IMF, why
polystyrene is soluble in toluene, but nylon 6,10 is not.
CHML212
Exp. 26 Synthesis and Analysis of Commercial Polymers
POST-LAB ASSIGNMENT: (EACH LAB GROUP will submit one copy of a typewritten, paragraph style report addressing
all of the points listed below. Must be written using PAST TENSE, PASSIVE VOICE. ) …..max score = 50 pts.
8. Experimental



(Write 1-2 paragraphs including all of the following. Do NOT present a bulleted outline.)
What type of reaction did you perform?
Describe your actual synthetic procedure for each polymer. Include names of any reactants used and desired
product, as well as name of solvent and catalyst used (if any). Be sure to give actual volumes/masses of
compounds used during the synthesis (not just what the lab manual tells you to use).
Describe the analytical techniques used to evaluate the product, including actual any equipment, measurements,
and calculations required.
9. Results (Complete tables electronically, where possible. Otherwise, complete by hand once copy/pasted into your document.)
Table 26.1 Nylon Fiber Analysis
Test tube diameter (mm)
# of test tube revolutions
Length of nylon (mm)
Table 26.2 Physical Property and Solubility Results
IMF
Predicted
Observed Solubility
Polymer Type and Solvent
(circle all
Solubility
1
2
3
that apply)
(circle all that
Acetone
Toluene
Methanol
apply)
(Sol. or
(Sol. or
(Sol. or
Insol.)
Insol.)
Insol.)
Synthetic A
Polyamide
LDF
DD
1
2
3
HBA
HBD
B
Linear polyester
LDF
DD
1
2
3
HBA
HBD
C
Cross-linked polyester
LDF
DD
1
2
3
HBA
HBD
D
Polystyrene
LDF
DD
1
2
3
HBA
HBD
Natural
E
Starch
LDF
DD
1
2
3
HBA
HBD
F
Cellulose
LDF
DD
1
2
3
HBA
HBD
Solvent
1
Acetone
LDF
DD
***In the final lab report, copy/paste this table into
HBA
HBD
your document, and circle the appropriate IMF and
2
Toluene
LDF
DD
solubility predictions by hand. Observed solubility
HBA
HBD
entries can either be typewritten or handwritten.***
3
Methanol
LDF
DD
HBA
HBD
10. Discussion (Write 1-2 pages addressing all of the following points.)




How long was the string of nylon produced during your synthesis? How was the length calculated?
Which co-reactant produced the more brittle polymer when treated with phthalic anhydride, ethylene glycol or
glycerol? What is the major difference in structure between these co-reactants, and how does this affect the
physical properties observed?
Which polymers were soluble in toluene? Which in acetone? Which in methanol? Do any of the solubility results
observed contradict predictions based on intermolecular forces present between solvents and solutes? Support
your conclusion using actual intermolecular forces in your answer.
Include a short comment addressing what could be done differently to improve the experimental results, if
repeated.