4.7.3.2 Condensation polymerisation

Question 1

What does condensation polymerisation involve?

Answer 1

• Condensation polymerisation involves monomers with two functional groups
• When these types of monomers react they join together, usually losing small molecules such as water, and so the reactions are called condensation reactions

Question 2

How are the simplest polymers produced?

Answer 2

• The simplest polymers are produced from two different monomers with two of the same functional groups on each monomer

Question 3

Give examples of simple polymers being produced.

Answer 3

• Ethanediol
  HO - CH2 - CH2 - OH or HO - ____ - OH
  and
• Hexanedioic acid
  HOOC - CH2 - CH2 - CH2 - CH2 - COOH
  or
  HOOC - _____ - COOH

Question 4

Give an example of polymerisation to produce a polyester.

Answer 4

n HO - ____ - OH - nHOOC - ____ - COOH =
(- O - __ - O - CO - __ - CO -)n +2nH2O