Chapter 28: Problem 4
Polymerization of caprolactam yields (a) Terylene (b) nylon-6 (c) nylon-66 (d) bakelite
Short Answer
Expert verified
Polymerization of caprolactam yields nylon-6.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Question
The question asks which polymer is formed from the polymerization of caprolactam. It gives you four options: Terylene, nylon-6, nylon-66, and bakelite.
02
Identifying Caprolactam
Caprolactam is a chemical compound used as a monomer in the production of a specific type of nylon. It is important to recall which type of nylon is produced from caprolactam.
03
Recall Nylon Types
Caprolactam is used to make nylon-6, a type of polyamide. Nylon-6 is produced by the polymerization of caprolactam into long chains of polyamide.
04
Evaluating Options
Review the options provided:
(a) Terylene - Made from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.
(b) nylon-6 - Produced from caprolactam.
(c) nylon-66 - Produced from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid.
(d) bakelite - Made from phenol and formaldehyde.
Only option (b), nylon-6, aligns with the information about caprolactam.
05
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, caprolactam polymerizes to form nylon-6. Therefore, the correct option is (b) nylon-6.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Caprolactam
Caprolactam is a vital component in the world of synthetic materials. It is a monomer, which means it forms the basic building block for polymers when it undergoes polymerization. This compound has a ring structure, specifically a cyclic amide. When heat and certain catalysts are applied to caprolactam, the ring opens up and connects in long chains.
- It's mainly used to produce nylon-6, a versatile type of polyamide.
- This process is referred to as ring-opening polymerization.
Nylon-6
Nylon-6 is a well-known synthetic polymer, derived from the polymerization of caprolactam. It is part of the nylon family, recognizable by its resilience and ability to withstand wear and tear. What sets nylon-6 apart is its properties:
- It offers high tensile strength. This means it can handle a lot of pulling or stretching without breaking.
- It is resistant to abrasion, which makes it long-lasting.
- Nylon-6 has a high melting point, making it suitable for products that need to tolerate heat.
Polyamide
Polyamide is essentially a type of polymer containing amide groups, which are combinations of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen atoms. Nylon-6, along with other nylons like nylon-66, belongs to this family. Polyamides are
known for their incredible durability and chemical resistance.
- The term 'amide' refers to the specific chemical group that forms the backbone of these materials.
- With polyamides, you often get materials that are lightweight yet strong.
- They are popularly used in products requiring robustness, such as ropes, tires, and various industrial applications.
Chemical Compound
The term 'chemical compound' refers to a substance composed of two or more elements chemically bonded together. In our context, caprolactam is a chemical compound that is crucial for creating nylon-6. The transformation of a monomer like caprolactam into a polymer such as nylon involves chemical reactions:
- The chemical reactions necessitate breaking and forming of bonds, often requiring catalysts and heat.
- This transformation process highlights the significance of chemical compounds in developing new materials.
- Understanding chemical compounds aids in predicting the properties and behavior of new materials.