Polymerisation — AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) questions by topic
Addition and condensation polymer questions meet here: drawing a repeat unit from a nitrile monomer, judging statements about PVC's combustion products and structure, and classifying polymerisation type and product name for three different monomers including a hydroxy-acid.
Identify, deduce, draw, state and describe lead 15 questions from 2023 to 2025 papers, worth 1 to 15 marks, where mixing up addition and condensation mechanisms is the most common way marks slip away. Drafting each repeat-unit and mechanism-naming answer for instant marking flags a five-valent carbon atom or a misidentified bond in an IR spectrum before the same drawing error recurs in the next polymer question.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is a significant number of diagrams containing basic errors such as five-valent carbon atoms.
- Examiners note some candidates did not realise PLA must be a polyester and found classifying it very difficult.
- A common mistake was drawing the nucleophile's arrow not starting from the lone pair on the carbon of the CN- ion.
- Strong scripts correctly derived the single repeat unit from the nitrile monomer by addition polymerisation, and identified the C-N and C=C absorptions in its IR spectrum.
- Candidates who recognised the mechanism in the first synthetic step as nucleophilic addition, then substitution in a later step, answered well.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
Which structure represents part of the polymer chain of PVC? A Alternating CHCl and CH2 units (incorrect pattern) B Alternating HCl and CH2 units every other carbon C Correct PVC:…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
The repeat unit of a polymer is shown: [-CH2-CHCl-CH2-CHOH-]n Three statements about this polymer are listed. 1 Its disposal is hazardous because it produces toxic gases when…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
Polymer J has repeat unit –[CH(C2H5)CH(CH3)]–. Polymer K has repeat unit –[CH(CH3)CH(CH3)]–. Which row is correct? A polymer J from pent-1-ene, polymer K from but-1-ene B polymer…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 14
The diagram shows part of a polymer chain (alternating CN groups on every other carbon). Which monomer would form this polymer? A CH2=CHCN (acrylonitrile, vinyl cyanide) B…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 44
Three polymers X, Y and Z are made from the following monomers. Monomer for X: H₂N(CH₂)₅CO₂H Monomer for Y: CH₂=CHCO₂CH₃ Monomers for Z: CH₃CH(OH)CO₂H (a) For each polymer, state…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
A section showing two repeat units of an addition polymer is shown: a carbon backbone where alternate carbons carry two CH3 groups and the others carry one CH3 group and one Cl…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
An addition polymer is made from monomer Z, which has the structure CH2=CH-C(=O)-OCH2CH3 (ethyl propenoate / ethyl acrylate). What is the structure of the polymer made from this…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
Which statement about PVC is correct? A Combustion products of PVC are very alkaline and harmful to breathe in. B The empirical formula of PVC is the same as the empirical formula…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
The diagram shows a section of an addition polymer. The polymer is made using two different monomers. The polymer chain shows repeating units: one type of unit has a carbon…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
Synthetic resins can be made by polymerisation of a variety of monomers including prop-2-en-1-ol, CH₂=CHCH₂OH. Which structure represents the repeat unit in the polymer…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
The diagram shows a section of an addition polymer. The polymer is made using two different monomers. The polymer chain shows repeating units: one type of unit has a carbon…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
The diagram shows a section of a polymer molecule. –CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH2–CH=CH–CH2– Which monomer will produce this polymer? A CH2=CH2 B CH3CH=CH2 C CH3CH=CHCH3 D CH2=CH–CH=CH2
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
In polymer G every carbon atom in the polymer chain is bonded to one hydrogen atom and one methyl group. Which alkene could be polymerised to make polymer G? A but-1-ene B…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 23
Compound W, CH2=CHCN, is used to make an addition polymer which is present in carbon fibres. Draw one repeat unit of the addition polymer of W.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Lactic acid, CH₃CH(OH)COOH, is the only monomer needed to form the polymer polylactic acid, PLA. Draw a short length of the PLA polymer chain, including a minimum of two monomer…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Chemistry topics
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