What is condensation polymerisation?

Condensation polymerisation is the joining of monomers with loss of a small molecule such as water or hydrogen chloride.

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What small molecule is lost when acyl chlorides are used to make condensation polymers?

Hydrogen chloride (HCl)

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Name three types of condensation polymer.

  1. Polyesters
  2. Polyamides
  3. Polypeptides

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Compare the characteristics of addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation.

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Why are condensation polymers strong and rigid?

Condensation polymers are strong and rigid as a result of strong intermolecular forces between polymer chains. These polymers contain polar groups, such as amide and ester links, which facilitate hydrogen bonding and permanent dipole-dipole forces between chains, in addition to induced dipole-dipole forces.

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What functional groups make a polyester?

A polyester is made from a monomers containing alcohol and carboxylic acid (or acyl chloride) functional groups.

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What functional groups make a polyamide?

A polyamide is made from a monomers containing amine groups and carboxylic acid (or acyl chloride) groups.

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What are polypeptides?

Polypeptides are condensation polymers formed from amino acids.

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Complete the general equation for the formation of a polyester.

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Describe how the ester linkage forms when a dicarboxylic acid and a diol react together.

The ester linkage forms between the carboxyl group of the dicarboxylic acid (HOOC-R-COOH) and the hydroxyl group of the diol (HO-R'-OH), with the elimination of a water molecule.


The equation for this reaction is shown below.

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Describe how the amide linkage forms when a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine react together.

The amide linkage forms between the carboxyl group of the dicarboxylic acid (HOOC-R-COOH) and the amine group of the diamine (H2N-R'-NH2), with the elimination of a water molecule.


The equation for this reaction is shown below.

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Complete the general equation for the formation of a polyamide.

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Describe how the peptide linkage forms when two amino acids react together.

The peptide linkage forms between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amine group of another amino acid, with the elimination of a water molecule.


The equation for this reaction is shown below (R = amino acid side chain).

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What small molecule is lost when carboxylic acids are used to make condensation polymers?

Water (H2O)

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What is the general equation for the acid hydrolysis of a polyamide (RCONHR')?

A polyamide is hydrolysed under acidic conditions to produce a carboxylic acid and the ammonium salt of an amine.

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What is the general equation for the alkaline hydrolysis of a polyamide (RCONHR')?

A polyamide is hydrolysed under alkaline conditions to produce a carboxylate salt and an amine.

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