Question

A biodegradable polyamide can be made from ______.

Options

• Glycine and isoprene

• Hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid

• Glycine and aminocaproic acid

• Styrene and caproic acid

Answer 1

A biodegradable polyamide can be made from glycine and aminocaproic acid.

Explanation:

Condensation of amino acids like glycine and 6‑aminocaproic (ε‑aminocaproic) acid gives polyamides (poly(amino acid)s) with peptide (–CONH–) linkages that are susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis, so they are biodegradable.

By contrast, hexamethylene diamine + adipic acid yields nylon‑6,6 (a synthetic aliphatic polyamide that is not readily biodegradable under normal conditions). 

Isoprene and styrene are vinyl/olefin monomers that undergo addition polymerization to give polyisoprene or polystyrene, not polyamides.