Chemistry 11–12 · Year 12
The nylon rope trick (condensation polymerisation) with a model of addition and condensation polymer chains
Module 7: Organic Chemistry
Teacher-led demonstration
A teacher carries out this activity as a demonstration. Its materials, steps, variables, misconceptions and sources are not published on the open web, and neither is any result, control or note that states a number or an amount: tutors and administrators read them on the learning platform, with the safety card first. The idea, the hazards and the curriculum references are below.
Open the procedure on the learning platform (tutor or administrator sign-in)
School laboratory, not for home
In a school laboratory, with a teacher supervising, under the school's risk assessment. Not for home.
This site has no interactive model of its own. Where a step or a material names a Concept Studio model, simulation or tool, it has not been built; an external simulation a step names (for example PhET) is not part of this site.
The idea
Monomers join into long chains either by adding across double bonds or by condensing with loss of a small molecule; the repeat unit fixes the chain's composition and the properties follow from the chain's structure.
Safety card
Setting: In a school laboratory, with a teacher supervising, under the school's risk assessment. Not for home.
Hazards
- decanedioyl dichloride causes severe burns and reacts with moisture to release hydrogen chloride
- 1,6-diaminohexane is corrosive and a respiratory irritant
- cyclohexane flammable and harmful
Controls
- teacher demonstration only, gloves (nitrile) and goggles, well-ventilated room away from ignition sources
- thread washed thoroughly before any handling
- reagent solutions prepared by the technician in a fume cupboard
- residues to the organic waste container
Note
It states a number or an amount, which may be part of the method, so it is shown with the method to tutors and administrators on the learning platform.
What you should see
It states a number or an amount, which may be part of the method, so it is shown with the method to tutors and administrators on the learning platform.
Curriculum references
The NSW syllabus outcomes and Australian Curriculum v9 codes this activity supports. They are references, not a verified or complete curriculum alignment.