Question

Nylon is an example of

• A. Polyester
• B. Polysaccharide
• C. Polyamide
• D. Polythene

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Nylon is a type of synthetic polymer that falls under the category of Polyamide. To understand why "Polyamide" is the correct answer, let's explore what polyamides are and how they relate to nylon:

1. Definition of Polyamide: Polyamides are polymers that contain repeated amide linkages (-CONH-). They are formed through the polymerization of monomers with carboxylic acid and amine groups.
2. Synthesis of Nylon: Nylon is a type of polyamide produced through a condensation reaction between diamines and dicarboxylic acids, resulting in the formation of long chains with amide linkages. The first example of nylon, nylon-6,6, was synthesized from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid.
3. Alternative Options:
   • Polyester: This is a category of polymers formed from esters. They are not polyamides; a common example is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
   • Polysaccharide: These are carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharide units. Examples include starch and cellulose, which are not synthetic polymers like nylon.
   • Polythene (Polyethylene): This is a polymer formed from the polymerization of ethylene units, without any amide linkages.
4. Conclusion: Given these explanations, it is clear that nylon, due to its structure involving amide linkages, is a polyamide. Therefore, the correct answer is Polyamide.