Napoleon Buttons Ch 1, 8, 16

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3. What is the dark side of chlorinated compounds? The chlorine works as a catalyst speeding up the reaction which breaks down the ozone. The chlorine however is not consumed therefore it is able to continue working as a catalyst.

4. After NB was written, dioxin released from plastics has become known to be a major health threat. Look ahead to the chapter on glucose, p 68. Why might the ingestion of sucralose raise a red flag in your mind?

It says that the body is unable to metabolize the sucralose. In my mind this raises a red flag because you are not getting any nutritional value from this and it could be harmful.

Napoleon’s Buttons– Chapter 8 – Isoprene

1. What is rubber chemically?

Carbons and Hydrogens

2. What part does sis-trans isomerism play in rubber?

Polymerization in natural rubber results in cis double bonds which makes the rigidity that prevents rotation.

The location of the H atoms and the CH3 groups has a major impact on the properties of the polymer.

3. What is the significance of the trans isomeric “isoprene”?

There are two natural isoprene polymers. Futta-percha and balata which are obtained from latex. They can be melted and molded but over time they become hard.

4. What makes rubber stretch?

The coiled chains of isoprene polymer allows rubber to stretch.

5. What is the significance of the disulfide link? What is the process called?

The cross link formed by sulfur to sulfur bonds allowed the rubber to be flexible but not to slip. Volcanization because heat had to be added.

6. How did the history of rubber lead to the discovery of polystyrene?

Styrene butadiene rubber was created along with several other natural rubber substitutes during World War 1 by the Germans when their supply of natural rubber was cut off. Styrene was later isolated and it was discovered that it would polymerize. This is now known as polystyrene.