| Date | May 2018 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 18M.3.hl.TZ2.5 |
| Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ2 |
| Command term | Distinguish | Question number | 5 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Propene can polymerize to form polypropene.
Propene monomer: 
Distinguish between the manufacture of polyester and polyethene.
Markscheme
Any one of these alternatives:
ALTERNATIVE 1
Polyester: produced by condensation/esterification polymerization
Polyethene: produced by addition polymerization
ALTERNATIVE 2
Polyester: reaction between monomers/molecules containing two functional groups per molecule
Polyethene: reaction between monomers/molecules containing a carbon–carbon double bond/C=C
ALTERNATIVE 3
polyester polymerization forms a by-product/H2O
polyethene has no by-products/100% atom economy
Accept the names of different catalysts used for each polymerization as an alternative answer.
[2 marks]
Examiners report
Syllabus sections
-
17N.3.hl.TZ0.7c:
Identify the type of intermolecular bonding that is responsible for Kevlar®’s strength.
-
17M.3.hl.TZ2.3c.ii:
Suggest, giving one reason, whether this is an addition or condensation reaction.
-
17M.3.hl.TZ1.9b:
State the class of polymer to which PETE belongs.
- 18N.3.hl.TZ0.2d.ii: Deduce the repeating unit of the polymer of X.
- 18N.3.hl.TZ0.2d.i: State the names of the two terminal functional groups in X.
-
17M.3.hl.TZ1.9a:
Deduce the repeating unit of the polymer and the other product of the reaction.
- 17N.3.hl.TZ0.7b: Describe how the monomers of addition polymers and of condensation polymers differ.
-
18M.3.hl.TZ1.4c.i:
Draw the structure of the monomer from which nylon-6 is produced by a condensation reaction.
-
19N.3.hl.TZ0.5a:
Draw the structure of the monomers of Kevlar® if the by-product of the condensation polymerization is hydrogen chloride.
-
19M.3.hl.TZ1.4e:
State one factor considered when making green chemistry polymers.
-
19M.3.hl.TZ1.4d:
Classify polybutadiene as either an addition or condensation polymer, giving a reason.
-
18N.3.hl.TZ0.2d.iii:
Repeating units of several polymers are listed.
The infrared (IR) spectrum of one of these polymers is shown.
Deduce, giving a reason, the name of this polymer and its Resin Identification Code (RIC), using sections 26 and 30 in the data booklet.
-
16N.3.hl.TZ0.6d:
Fermentation of sugars from corn starch produces propane-1,3-diol, which can be polymerized with benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid to produce the PTT polymer (polytrimethylene terephthalate).
(i) Draw the molecular structure of each monomer.
(ii) Deduce the name of the linkage formed on polymerization between the two monomers and the name of the inorganic product.
-
19M.3.hl.TZ2.5e:
Outline, giving a reason, how addition and condensation polymerization compare with regard to green chemistry.
-
19M.3.hl.TZ2.5f:
Draw the full structural formula of the organic functional group formed during the polymerization of the two reactants below.
- 20N.3.hl.TZ0.3c: Classify PVC and polyethene terephthalate, PET, as addition or condensation polymers and...
