Question

Which of the following sets forms the biodegradable polymer?
A. ${{H}_{2}}N-C{{H}_{2}}-COOH$ and ${{H}_{2}}N-{{(C{{H}_{2}})}_{5}}-COOH$
B. $HO-C{{H}_{2}}-C{{H}_{2}}-OH$ and $COOH-{{C}_{6}}{{H}_{4}}-COOH$
C. ${{C}_{6}}{{H}_{5}}-CH=C{{H}_{2}}$ and $C{{H}_{2}}=CH-CH=C{{H}_{2}}$
D. $C{{H}_{2}}=CH-CN$ and $C{{H}_{2}}=CH-CH=C{{H}_{2}}$

Answer 1

Hint: Biodegradable polymers are a special class of polymer that breaks down after its intended purpose by bacterial decomposition process to result in natural byproducts such as gases, water, biomass, and inorganic salts.

Complete Step by step solution: Biodegradable polymers tend to consist of ester, amide, or ether bonds. In general, biodegradable polymers can be grouped into two large groups based on their structure and synthesis. One of these groups is agro-polymers or those derived from biomass. The other consists of biopolyesters which are those derived from microorganisms or synthetically made from either naturally or synthetic monomers. These polymers are found both naturally and synthetically made, and largely consist of ester, amide, and ether functional groups. Their properties and breakdown mechanism are determined by their exact structure. These polymers are often synthesized by condensation reactions, ring opening polymerization, and metal catalysts. There are vast examples and applications of biodegradable polymers. Bio-based packaging materials have been introduced as a green alternative in the past decades, among which, edible films have gained more attention due to their environmentally-friendly characteristics, vast variety and availability, non-toxicity, and low cost. The condensation polymerization of ${{H}_{2}}N-C{{H}_{2}}-COOH$ and ${{H}_{2}}N-{{(C{{H}_{2}})}_{5}}-COOH$ forms Nylon-2-Nylon-6 which is a biodegradable polymer. It can be degraded by microorganisms like bacteria fungi, etc. which are present in the environment. It is non-toxic and non-polluting. In the options B, C and D, the condensation polymerization of monomers results in the formation of non-biodegradable polymers.

Hence option A is correct.

Note: Non-biodegradable polymers consist of long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms. These molecules form an interatomic type of bonding and are adamant meaning it is tough for microbes to break the bonds and digest them. Thus a long period is required to decompose them.