I think it has to do with altering molecular weight, but I don't understand how. And I could be completely off in that assumption. Thanks for the help everybody!
2006-11-27 22:12:42 · 1 answers · asked by thesekeys 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
If the molecular weight of nylon is too high it can not be spun into yarn. When acetic acid is added to the reaction mixture, it acts as a chain terminator. A growing chain of nylon polymer has either an amine group or an acid group on the end of it. If acetic acid reacts with the amine end group, the result is a chain with an unreactive group on the end. End capping amine group at the chain end with acetic acid. The chain will be unable to grow anymore so the acetic acid, added in at a specific ratio, acts as a limiting reagent that limits the molecular weight.
2006-11-28 06:09:23 · answer #1 · answered by pkababa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋