Topic: Polymers
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Kevlar is an advanced polyamide renowned for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, making it a key component in applications like body armour and aerospace composites. It is synthesised via the condensation polymerisation of the two monomers shown below: terephthaloyl chloride and benzene-1,4-diamine.
Your task is to:
- Outline the full nucleophilic addition-elimination mechanism for the formation of a single amide bond between these two monomers, using curly arrows to show the movement of electron pairs.
- Analyse the structure of the resulting polymer. Explain how specific molecular features—such as the planarity of the benzene rings, the rigidity of the polymer backbone, and the potential for extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding—give rise to Kevlar’s outstanding thermal stability and tensile strength.