Question

Nylon 11 refers to Poly Amide made from a polymer of ____ .

• A. Hexamethylene diamine
• B. $\alpha$ caprolactam
• C. $\omega$ undecanolactam
• D. $\beta$ caprolactam

Hint:

Nylon X (single digit) = One monomer.
Nylon X,Y (two digits) = Two monomers.
Since Nylon 11 has only one number, it comes from a single 11-carbon precursor (Undecanolactam).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the specific monomer or precursor molecule used to manufacture the synthetic polymer known as Nylon 11.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Nylon Nomenclature: Nylon names reflect the number of carbon atoms in the repeating units.
- Nylon 6,6: Made from two monomers (hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid), each having 6 carbons.
- Nylon 6: Made from a single 6-carbon monomer ($\epsilon$-caprolactam).

• Nylon 11: This is a bio-based polyamide derived from castor oil. It is synthesized by the polymerization of 11-aminoundecanoic acid.

• Lactam form: The cyclic amide form of this 11-carbon amino acid is called $\omega$-undecanolactam. It is the direct precursor for the polymer.

• Other Options: $\alpha$-caprolactam (B) has 6 carbons and is used for Nylon 6. Hexamethylene diamine (A) has 6 carbons and is part of the Nylon 6,6 process.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Nylon 11 is produced from $\omega$-undecanolactam.