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 two types of condensation polymer.

  1. Polyesters
  2. Polyamides

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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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Describe how condensation polymers can be broken down. 

Condensation polymers can be broken down by hydrolysis of the amide (-CONH-) or ester (-COO-) bonds between repeat units. This process breaks the polymer chain into its individual monomer units.

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Describe how polyesters can be broken down. 

Polyesters can be broken down using hot aqueous acid or hot aqueous alkali. The ester (-COO-) bonds between repeat units undergo hydrolysis to produce individual monomer units, which can then undergo further metabolism or degredation.

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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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What is the general equation for the alkaline hydrolysis of a polyester (RCOOR')?

A polyester is hydrolysed under alkaline conditions to produce a carboxylate salt and an alcohol.

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What is the general equation for the acid hydrolysis of a polyester (RCOOR')?

A polyester is hydrolysied under acidic conditions to produce a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.

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

Water (H2O)

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