Question

(a) Draw the monomer 1-butene. (b) Draw the polymer formed from this monomer, making it at least three monomer units long. (Hint: There are no double bonds in the polymer.)

Short answer

(a) The monomer 1-butene has the structure: \(CH_2=CH-CH_2-CH_3\) (b) The polymer formed from 1-butene, consisting of at least three monomer units, is represented as: \([-CH_2-CH(-CH_2-CH_3)-]_3\)

Step-by-step solution

a) Drawing the monomer: 1-butene

1-butene is an organic compound with the molecular formula C4H8. It has a double bond between the first and second carbon atoms. The structure is as follows: CH2=CH-CH2-CH3

b) Drawing the polymer

The polymer formed from 1-butene has a structure without double bonds. The double bond between the first and second carbon atoms in 1-butene will open, allowing each carbon atom to bond with two other monomers, creating the polymer. Step 1: Removing the double bond The double bond in the 1-butene monomer opens up, forming free bonding sites on the first and second carbon atoms: CH2(-)-CH(-CH2-CH3) Step 2: Bonding the 1-butene monomers The open bonding sites on the first and second carbon atoms of each 1-butene molecule will bond with similar bonding sites on adjacent molecules. This process will continue indefinitely, creating a long chain. For representing a polymer that is at least three monomer units long, we will connect three of these modified 1-butene molecules: Step 3: Drawing the polymer The polymer resulting from the polymerization process of 1-butene is represented as: [-CH2-CH(-CH2-CH3)-]3 Here, the [-CH2-CH(-CH2-CH3)-] unit represents the modified 1-butene monomer, and the subscript "3" indicates that there are three such units in the polymer.

Key concepts

1-Butene

1-Butene plays a fundamental role in the world of organic chemistry, especially in polymerization. Structurally, it is part of the alkene family, characterized by a carbon-carbon double bond. This particular compound, with the chemical formula C₄H₈, is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and has the following structure: CH₂=CH-CH₂-CH₃.

This double bond is crucial as it serves as the reactive center during polymerization. When we reference 1-butene in an educational setting, we emphasize the numbering of carbon atoms. The '1-' prefix indicates that the double bond starts at the first carbon atom, which is significant because the position of the double bond affects the properties of both the monomer and resulting polymer. Understanding the structure of 1-butene is key to grasping how it reacts during polymerization, ultimately forming a larger polymer.

Monomer Structure

The monomer structure is another pivotal concept in chemistry, particularly in the synthesis of polymers. A monomer is a small molecule that can bind chemically to other monomer molecules to form a polymer. In the case of 1-butene, its monomer structure includes a carbon chain with four carbon atoms, where one pair of carbon atoms is connected by a double bond.

When illustrating the monomer structure for educational purposes, we depict each carbon and hydrogen atom and their bonds. By understanding that the double bond offers a site for chemical reaction, students can visualize how these monomers can connect, sharing electrons to form new bonds. Simplifying complex molecular structures into understandable diagrams is essential for students to comprehend the connections that lead to the formation of larger, more complex polymer structures.

Chemical Bonding

Chemical bonding is the cornerstone of understanding how individual monomers like 1-butene interact to form polymers. Bonds are the result of atoms sharing or transferring electrons to attain stability, rooted in the Octet Rule, which states that atoms tend to seek out eight electrons in their outer shell.

In the case of 1-butene polymerization, the carbon-carbon double bond opens up, allowing the carbon atoms to connect with neighboring monomers. This forms single bonds between the carbons, which are stronger and more stable than the original double bond. Emphasizing this transformation from double to single bonds helps clarify the process of polymerization. It also underscores the versatility of carbon atoms, as they can bond in various ways to form an array of structures, with each type of bond influencing the physical and chemical properties of the resulting polymer.