Unit 4 Organic Question

Explain why dilute NaOH will cause hole to appear in clothing made from Terylene but a poly(phenylethene) container can be used to store NaOH?

I dont know what to say in the answer...what am i supposed to me talking about?

Is Terylene an amide?...Do I mention Hofmann Degradation? Does poly(phenylethene) not get holes bcause of its double bond?

:s-smilie:

all help appreciated :smile:

Reply 1

icapturethecastle

where are all the chemistry people today :rolleyes:

Reply 2

SmilerNuts

Revising for exams most likely :p:

I sucked at organic so I'm not even gonna hazard a guess.

Reply 3

icapturethecastle

well thanks for replying anyway... :smile:

i'm gonna have a another dig through my notes and textbooks

Reply 4

thelostchild

Terylene is a polyester from a quick google, the NaOH can hydrolise the ester linkage therefore destroying the polymer. poly(phenylethene) is an addition polymer however and isnt attacked by the NaOH so you can store it in there safely.

Probably not the best explanation but thats what you get from me dead from college today :smile:

Reply 5

icapturethecastle