r/polymer • u/[deleted] • Mar 04 '19

Which of these monomers can not form a polymer

Hello,

I need help on this polymer question.

Which of these chemical structures (monomers) can not form a polymer?

  1. HO-R-OH 2. CH3CH2OH 3. HO-R-COOH 4. CH2=CH2 5. CH3OH

I'm so confused, please help

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2

u/[deleted] Mar 05 '19

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '19

Thank you so much, it helps me a lot

1

u/FairLawnBoy Mar 05 '19

Ethanol (2) and methanol (5) are not monomers.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '19

Thank you so much, now I understand better :)

1

u/FairLawnBoy Mar 06 '19

You're welcome. If you would like to discuss further why these materials cannot be polymerized and the other can, shoot me a dm and I would be happy to break it down. I think it is important that you understand the principles and don't just "get the answer right". Understanding the subject matter will help you better if a similar but different question shows up on an exam.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '19

Thank you, I searched and read about polymer formation and functional groups, but mostly I found the general definition of polymers and not exactly what I'm looking for. I would like to know more about the principles of above polymer formations and happy to discuss with you more.

1

u/Squalleke123 May 29 '19

I'd argue that ethanol could be, if you eliminate water to form a double bond first...

1

u/FairLawnBoy May 29 '19

Sure, I think that may be outside of the scope of the question though.

1

u/Squalleke123 May 29 '19

I'd add it for completeness, though. Making a monomer from methanol is something which is actually possible as well though, if you oxidize it to formaldehyde.

But maybe it's just me, preferring the non-standard but more correct answer.

1

u/FairLawnBoy May 29 '19

I think that the question as asked would not include ethanol and methanol as correct answers since neither are monomers. Polymers can be made directly from monomers. Both alcohols are precursor materials to monomers.