Question

The outer capsule of drugs is made up of a polymer of:
A) Glycolic acid and lactic acid
B) Glycine and caproic acid
C) Salicylic acid and p-aminobenzoic acid
D) 3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 3-hydroxypentanoic acid

Answer 1

Hint:
The monomers that are used to produce the polymer is hydroxyl acid. It contains four and five carbon atoms in each of the monomers.

Complete step by step solution:
The cover of the capsule of drugs is made out of PHBV polymer. It is synthesized using 3 hydroxybutanoic acid and 3 hydroxypentanoic acid. It is a polymer made out of the above two monomers and the correct option is the D.

Additional information:
PHBV is the abbreviation for 3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate. It was first manufactured in 1983. It was manufactured by imperial chemical industries. The properties of PHBV depend on the ratio of the respective monomers used. The properties will change if the ratio varies. It is a very good alternative in comparisons to the other synthetic and non biodegradable.
It is a biodegradable polymer and is obviously not toxic in nature because it is used in the preparation of medicines. It is made up of bio compatible plastic that is naturally produced by bacteria. It is used as an alternative for the plastics and is non biodegradable and upon decomposition they form carbon dioxide and water. It undergoes bacterial degradation. Just as humans use fats as a source of energy PHBV acts as a source of energy for microorganisms.

Note:
In spite of its various advantages it also has some of the disadvantages. No doubt it is biodegradable and renewable but it is very expensive, it is difficult to process PHBV and has low thermal stability. Polymers are macromolecules and are made up joining the monomers.