Question

Caprolactam when heated at high temperature in presence of water, gives

• A. Dacron
• B. Nylon 6
• C. Teflon
• D. Nylon 6, 6

Hint:

Caprolactam is specifically used for the preparation of Nylon 6, which is a key polymer used in textiles, carpeting, and plastics.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Caprolactam Polymerization Process

Caprolactam is a key monomer used in the production of Nylon 6. When caprolactam is heated at a high temperature in the presence of water, it undergoes a polymerization reaction known as ring-opening polymerization. This reaction leads to the formation of Nylon 6.

Explanation of the Reaction:

Caprolactam contains a lactam ring. Upon heating, the following reaction takes place:

1. Caprolactam absorbs heat and is cleaved by water (a hydrolysis step) to form open chain molecules.
2. These open chain molecules then polymerize by attaching to each other in a continuous chain, forming the polyamide Nylon 6.

The chemical equation for the polymerization of caprolactam can be depicted as:

\(\text{(C}_{6}\text{H}_{11}\text{NO)}\text{ + (n-1)H}_{2}\text{O} \rightarrow \text{(C}_{6}\text{H}_{11}\text{NO)}_{\text{n }}+\text{nH}_{2}\text{O}\)

Conclusion:

Therefore, when caprolactam is heated with water, it results in the formation of Nylon 6, which is a widely used synthetic polymer commonly utilized in the textile industry.

Justifying Other Options:

• Dacron: Typically refers to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), not produced from caprolactam.
• Teflon: This is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), produced from tetrafluoroethylene, not related to caprolactam.
• Nylon 6, 6: Produced from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid, involving a different process.

With this explanation, we can confidently say that the correct answer to the question is Nylon 6.