The term 'structure-property relationships' and its implications pervade all of polymer science and engineering. For example, subtle changes in the repeating unit of a polyamide can alter its melting point and glass transition temperature, the degree of equilibrium moisture uptake and mechanical properties which can in turn dictate the scope and limitations of a commercial application. While certain properties such as viscoelasticity and the ability to achieve outstanding tensile strengths from molecular orientation are characteristics of only macromolecules, many other properties have dependencies on molecular structure which can parallel those of small organic molecules. Therefore, it can be very useful to introduce students to small-molecule structure-property relationships which can enrich subsequent discussions about polymers. Simple hydrocarbons such as the C5H12 family will be used to discuss enthalpic and entropic constributions to the melting temperature, and molecular symmetry considerations will be used to identify which isomers may be glass formers upon rapid cooling. These concepts will be extended to structure/property relationships for a wide variety of macromolecules.

Structure/property relationships of small organic molecules as a prelude to the teaching of polymer science

247th National Meeting (2014)

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