Re: What does the chemical structure of the cross polymerization of Silly Putty

Josh,
I hope this is worth the extra five points:

right, this is the monomer thingy of silly putty 
                                Me
                                |
                              (-Si-O-)n
                                |
                                Me 
and Me stands for CH3 supposedly and so when this reacts with Borax 
which I think has the chemical structure... which I can't draw (d'oh)
but its here: http://www.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/borax/borax.htm
 and anyway, the hydrogens off the Me (or methyl to give it it's posh name)
react with the hydoxides to make water- the carbons (c) now add on to where 
the hydroxides were giving you the cross polymer- and there you have silly 
putty: the molecule that holds the chemistry department of Dundee Uni 
together !

It was no problem at all to help. I hope you enjoy the rest of the Chem 
class.
 yours sincerly
Pete