polyesters and polyamides

Question 1

name 2 examples of condensation polymers

Answer 1

polyesters and polyamides

Question 2

define condensation polymerisation

Answer 2

2 different monomers with at least 2 functional groups react together where a link is made and a water molecule is eliminated

Question 3

define polyamides

Answer 3

formed from the condensation reaction of dicarboxylic acids and diamides (OH from COOH/H from NH2 removed to form a H2O molecule)
amide link= C=O-N-H

Question 4

define polyesters

Answer 4

formed from the condensation reaction of dicarboxylic acids and diols (removes the OH from the COOH and the H from the OH) forms an ester link= C=O-O and a molecule of water

Question 5

how can condensation polymers be reversed to their original monomer?

Answer 5

hydrolyse it (use 2 molecules of water usually) OH goes to CO H goes to NH/O determine this by finding the middle of the ester/amide link

Question 6

how can some polymers be more degradable than others?

Answer 6

C=O bond can absorb radiation and the ester linkage breaks by hydrolysis

Question 7

why do some polymers have a higher melting point than others?

Answer 7

greater H bonding so greater intermolecular forces e.g. london forces

Question 8

Outline how the polymer is formed from the monomer molecules. (You do not need to give any details of the catalyst or conditions involved.) (2 marks)

Answer 8

the pi bond breaks and then many molecules join together forming a long chain.