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Hydrogen Bonding in Polymers With Alcohol Groups

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I have attached 4 images for you to take a look at: 1) the chem structure of cellulose; 2) the chem structure of phenol-formaldehyde adhesive resin -- you will have to add NaOH to this structure since it is catalyzed with NaOH); 3) the chem structure of polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate resin; and finally, 4) the chem structure of wood lignin.

What I am desperately and very simplistically trying to understand is which of these structures would have the greatest tendency for hydrogen bonding --- specifically creating H2O's or OH- and why???

For instance, in real world we see lignin and pMDI almost virtually water repellant so to speak ---- however, both pure cellulose and PF resin seem to have greater H+ bonding and tend to attract more water.

Can you take a stab at a really simple explanation for a simpleton like me. Ultimately, what are the major differences in these structures and what makes one more available for H bonding vs. another??

Happy holiday!

JJ

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Solution Summary

The hydrogen bonding in polymers like phenol-formaldehyde resin, lignin and cellulose is discussed in detail with diagrams.

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Firstly, please allow me to give a brief introduction to the relationship of the different intramolecular forces to boiling point and to water solubility.

In a nuthell, hydrogen-bonding solvents like water are best at dissolving compounds that also hydrogen bond.

Now to apply all this to your structures....

The multiple OH groups allow for many opportunities for hydrogen bonding. The strands of cellulose stick together through multiple intermolecular and ...

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