Instead of using one molecule with two NH2 groups and one with two COOH groups, we can just use a molecule with an NH2 at one end and a COOH at the other end. [...]
The molecule in question—p-aminobenzoic acid—is fairly common in nature! You’re basically one reaction away from having kevlar skin.
That wouldn’t be Kevlar though, the structure would be different, and this has implications for the inter-strand hydrogen bonding that gives Kevlar its strength.
However I’m sure with some metabolic engineering a cell could make Kevlar biologically.
Silk and chitin are nature’s substitute for Kevlar, though not quite as strong.
That wouldn’t be Kevlar though, the structure would be different, and this has implications for the inter-strand hydrogen bonding that gives Kevlar its strength.
However I’m sure with some metabolic engineering a cell could make Kevlar biologically.
Silk and chitin are nature’s substitute for Kevlar, though not quite as strong.
What? It’s the same strength. It’s not like nylon 6 being weaker than nylon 66, the aromatic links are symmetric. Why would it be weaker?
Isn’t it exactly like nylon 6 vs nylon 66?
It’s hard to draw it out in the comment here but the repeating unit of Kevlar is: [C=O-NH-Ph-NH-C=O-Ph-]
and poly-PABA would be [C=O-Ph-NH-C=O-Ph-NH-]
where I’m using Ph as an abbreviation for a phenyl group.
maybe this will help: https://www.google.com/search?site=&source=hp&q=nylon+6+crystal+structure&udm=2