Last time we examined the characteristic reactions of alkenes -- additions. Today, we'll see how reactions like these and some familiar reactions of carboxylic acid derivatives can be used to make very long chains -- polymers. We have already looked at some important polymers from biological systems; starch, cellulose, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Let's begin by noticing some important real-world characteristics of polymers. While they all contain molecules with very long chains, there are some important differences between the properties of different types of polymers. Most polymers are formed into the desired shapes after softening or melting by heating. Some, like the familiar polyethylene and polystyrene, may be melted and reshaped again and again. These are called thermoplastic polymers.
Others char or burn when reheated. These are called thermosetting polymers. Examples include Bakelite and vulcanized rubber. The structural difference between these polymers is that the thermosetting polymers have crosslinks between the chains and the thermoplastic polymers do not. When a thermoplastic polymer is heated the chains are free to move past each other making the sample less rigid and eventually melting it. This cannot happen with a thermosetting polymer, since its chains are locked together by the cross links. The energy from the heat must eventually go into breaking bonds which leads to decomposition of the polymer.
This schematic view suggests the difference: