The Synthesis of Nylon (Kathryn Smith)

Author

Kathryn M. Smith

Principle(s) Illustrated

1. Polymerization

2. Polarization

3. Density

Standards

• HS-LS1-6 Students who demonstrate understanding can construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules.

• HS-ETS1-2 Students who demonstrate understanding can design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

  • Problem: How do we clothe the entire human population?

• HS-PS1-2 Students who demonstrate understanding can construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

Students should have prior knowledge of density, polar and nonpolar substances, and the idea of polymers as a chain of monomers.

Root question:

Prediction, question, etc.

Target response:

What is the correct answer

Common Misconceptions:

State common Misonceptions

Discussion Materials:

Nylon is a generic name for several synthetic polyamides. In this demo 6-10 nylon is synthesized. This means that the carbon chains between the amide bonds alternate between six and ten carbons in length. The condensation reaction is: H₂N(CH₂)₆NH₂ + ClCO(CH₂)₈COCl --> -[-NH(CH₂)₆NHCO(CH₂)₈CO-]- +2HCl. This is an example of nucleophilic acyl substitution with the amine nitrogen acting as a nucleophile to displace chloride ion from the carbonyl carbon. The base is present to neutralize the acid byproduct so that it does not protonate the amine, thus effectively deactivating it. Bassam Shakashisri. Chemical Demonstrations, v.1, pp. 213-215. The University of Wisconsin Press; Madison, WI. 1983.

Photographs and Movies

Put all photos in the class Picasa Album and reference here. Do not upload the photos directly to this wiki as there is not enough memory in the website.

Put all movies in your own Youtube account. Make sure that the account is set for public viewing. Insert the Youtube videos here.

References

Sullivan, R. (n.d.). Synthesis of Nylon. Retrieved September 1, 2015. http://chemdemos.uoregon.edu/demos/Synthesis-of-Nylon

Carolina: World Class Support for Math and Science: http://www.carolina.com/polymers/nylon-synthesis-demo-chemistry-kit/840467.pr