LESSON PLAN 3 Production of Materials

Some scientists research the extraction of materials from biomass to reduce our
dependence on fossil fuels
2.1.1 Discuss the need for alternative sources of the compounds presently obtained from the
petrochemical industry
Recall that discuss involves identify, describe, advantages and disadvantages
Identify
There is a significant need for alternative sources of the compounds presently
obtained from the petrochemical industry.
Describe
The petrochemical industry includes all chemicals derived from the fractions of
crude oil. Two of the major products of the petrochemical industry are fuels and
polymers. Humans have been utilising fractions of crude oil as fuel since the
industrial revolution. Octane is currently utilised extensively as car fuel as it
combusts easily to drive internal combustion engines:
Complete combustion of Octane
2C8H18 (l) + 25O2

(g)

--------------> 16CO2

(g)

+ 18H2O

(l)

Furthermore the petrochemical industry also includes all commercial polymers,

e.g. polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene. Polyethylene is created from the addition
polymerisation of ethylene, where the double bond is broken allowing the
addition of more ethylene monomers forming a long polyethylene chain. This can
be

summarised as:
Where n is a large number
Polyethylene is a very tough, flexible and durable polymer and it is used for
sandwich bags, cling wrap, car covers, squeeze bottles, freezer bags, water
pipes, wire and cable insulation. Similarly polyvinylchloride is created from the
addition polymerisation of vinyl chloride molecules, derived originally from

ethylene. The process can be summarised as:

Where n is a large number

Uses of PVC include packaging, water pipes, credit cards and garden hoses.

Advantages (of developing alternative sources of compounds presently

obtained from the petrochemical industry)

Crude oil is a non-renewable resource, and at current rates of consumption is

expected to last another 50 100 years after which stocks will run out.
If crude oil runs out before alternative sources are developed then there will
be less plastics, food will be more expensive, conflict and countries
dependent on crude oil collapse
Particular petrochemical products such as petrol lead to the formation of
pollutants such as carbon monoxide (through incomplete combustion) which
has devastating impacts on the respiratory health of populations

Disadvantages (of developing alternative sources

presently obtained from the petrochemical industry)

of

compounds

Alternative sources of these compounds are often much more expensive

than those obtained from crude oil.
Significant amounts of infrastructure would be required before alternate
sources could be developed, extending the time span of their introduction.

Use this space for making your own notes:

2.1.2 Explain what is meant by a condensation polymer

Condensation
polymers
form
through
condensation
polymerisation.
Condensation polymerisation is the process in which two monomers (of different
functional groups) combine (link together) with the elimination of a smaller
molecule such as water. Examples of condensation polymers include cellulose
and nylon.
Use this space for making your own notes:

2.1.3 Describe the reaction involved when a condensation polymer is formed

This aspect of condensation polymerisation is examined easiest by considering
cellulose as an example (as require by the syllabus). Cellulose is a polymer which

forms from the monomer unit glucose (C6H12O6). Recall that the definition of
condensation polymerisation is:
the process in which two monomers (of different functional groups) combine
(link together) with the elimination of a smaller molecule such as water
The glucose monomer can also be written as HO C 6H10O4 OH . When two
glucose monomers combine through their hydroxyl (OH) groups, an H OH
molecule is condensed out, leaving an - O linking the two monomer molecules.
The reaction can be represented by:
HO C6H10O4 OH + HO C6H10O4 OH HO C6H10O4 O C6H10O4 OH + H
OH
However it is also required that you know the structural equations for this
process and the structure of glucose.
Drawing glucose
Glucose contains 6 carbons, 5 of which are arranged
in a hexagon with O forming the 6th point. The six
points can be numbered as shown. Once this
hexagon is drawn, the CH2OH should be added to
the second carbon. The H and OH alternate in
position around the structure. Where the H is up, the
OH is down; on the next carbon this is flipped. This
helps to remember how to draw the structure.
When glucose molecules combine to form cellulose, each alternate glucose
molecule flips and becomes upside down:

Use this space to make your own notes. A handy thing to note is the differences
and similarities between addition and condensation polymerisation as it is a
common question.

2.1.4 Describe the structure of cellulose and identify it as an example of a condensation polymer
found as a major component of biomass.
Cellulose is a condensation polymer made of the monosaccharide monomer
glucose. Glucose (C6H12O6) is a ring shaped molecule.
Cellulose

Glucose

A number of features of the structure of cellulose need to be understood:

Firstly cellulose is a very large molecule. It can contain anywhere between

2000 and 8000 glucose monomers.
The glucose monomers in the cellulose chain (as shown in diagram above)
are linked together very strongly by covalent bonds. The bonds can be
named according to the carbons involved. If the numbering scheme in the
glucose molecule above is followed then the 1 st and 4th carbons are
involved in the bonds. The bond can be referred to as 1,4 linkages
which result in the formation of flat, ribbon like strands of cellulose.
Furthermore, each cellulose chain is then linked together by hydrogen
bonding which makes the chains linear, rigid, strong and resistant to
chemical attack.
It is the single most abundant polymer on Earth, making up about 50% of
the total biomass of the planet (biomass is the mass of all organisms in a
given area).

Use this space to make your own notes:

HSC style questions

Discuss the need for alternative sources of compounds presently obtained from
the petrochemical industry
5 marks
Define condensation polymerisation using examples

2 marks

Using diagrams and equations, describe the formation and structure of cellulose
4 marks