Organic Chemistry Structured Questions | Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry

Chemistry 0620 · Question 1[15 marks]

(a)

Chloroethene ( $\ce{CH2=CHCl}$ ) undergoes addition polymerisation to form poly(chloroethene) (PVC).

[4]

(i)

Draw the displayed formula of the repeating unit of poly(chloroethene).

[2]

(ii)

Draw a section of the PVC polymer chain containing two repeating units, showing all bonds and continuation bonds.

[2]

(b)

Terylene (PET) is a synthetic polyester made from dicarboxylic acid and diol monomers: • Monomer A: HOOC − $\ce{C6H4}$ − COOH • Monomer B: HO − $\ce{C2H4}$ − OH

[5]

(i)

Draw the structure of the repeat unit of Terylene showing the ester linkages and continuation bonds.

[2]

(ii)

State the small molecule eliminated during this polymerisation reaction.

[1]

(iii)

State two structural differences between addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation.

[2]

(c)

Natural polyamides (proteins) are essential biological macromolecules.

[3]

(i)

Name the type of monomer from which proteins are formed.

[1]

(ii)

Draw the functional linkage that connects amino acid units together in a protein molecule, and name this linkage.

[2]

(d)

Plastic waste poses severe global environmental hazards.

[3]

(i)

Explain why non-biodegradable addition polymers persist in landfill sites for centuries.

[1]

(ii)

Describe one environmental problem caused by disposing of plastic waste by landfill and one problem caused by incineration of PVC.

[2]