Question

Which of the following is not a synthetic polymer
A. Polyethylene
B. PVC
C. Nylon
D. Cellulose

Answer 1

Hint: Synthetic polymers are those polymers which are synthesis by humans in the laboratory and do not occur in nature freely. Synthetic polymers are obtained from coal and petroleum and some are made by scientists and engineers. Whereas natural polymers are easily accessible from nature and are water-based.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
Polyethylene (PE) also known as polythene, is a synthetic plastic polymer. It is a polymer of an ethene monomer (smallest unit). It is non-biodegradable (non-ionic) and thus, hazardous to the environment. On heating ethene to 473 K and under 1500 atm. Pressure produces polyethylene and the reaction mechanism is like a free radical mechanism where oxygen acts as an initiator.

PVC (thermoplastic) and nylon (thermosetting) both are synthetic plastic polymers. PVC consists of one monomer, vinyl chloride, and nylon consists of an amide group in between the main chain of the polymer. Both nylon and PVC are used for protecting cover for the electric appliance. PVC is polar in nature whereas nylon consists of hydrogen bonding between molecules.

Cellulose is a natural polysaccharide polymer with a linear structure consisting of a series of glucose (sugar), a monomer (building block unit), as it is prepared by plants with the help of leaves and stalks. Cellulose is a carbohydrate present in larger amounts in nature than other carbohydrates and it is not soluble in water because of which it is synthesised outside the plant cell.
Thus, the correct option is $\mathrm{D}$.

Note: It is important to note that, cellulose cannot be synthesised by humans because humans take energy from carbohydrates present in food by breaking it into glucose with the help of suitable enzymes but it is very difficult to break cellulose bonding because of the lack of enzyme need to break it.