condensation polymers

Question 1

how are polymers formed from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol?

Answer 1

Condensation polymers form when a water molecule is removed from the species of a reaction.

• Polyesters are formed in this way from a reaction between a dicarboxylic acid and a diol, producing an ester linkage (-COO-)

Question 2

how are polyesters biodegradable ?

Answer 2

Polyesters can be broken down through hydrolysis due to the polarity within the polymer molecules.
- Therefore, they are biodegradable and can be broken down easily in nature by naturally occurring water or moisture.

-This means polyesters can be put into landfill where they will gradually break down.