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Chemical Analysis, Organic Chemistry and Materials

Polyesters and condensation polymerisation

  • 2 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Why forming a polyester is condensation polymerisation, the two monomers and the ester link, the water lost per link, how it differs from addition polymerisation, and why monomers need two functional groups.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why is the formation of a polyester described as condensation polymerisation?

Key term

Which two types of monomer react together to form a polyester?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Why is the formation of a polyester described as condensation polymerisation?

    Model answer

    The monomers join together and a small molecule of water is released each time a link is formed.

  2. 2

    Which two types of monomer react together to form a polyester?

    Model answer

    A monomer containing two carboxylic acid groups reacts with a monomer containing two alcohol groups.

  3. 3

    What is the name of the link that joins the monomers together in a polyester?

    Model answer

    It is called an ester link.

  4. 4

    How many water molecules are lost each time one ester link is formed?

    Model answer

    One water molecule is lost.

  5. 5

    How many water molecules are released while 50 ester links form along a polyester chain?

    Model answer

    50 water molecules are released, because one is lost for every link that forms.

  6. 6

    State the key difference between addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation.

    Model answer

    Addition polymerisation forms only the polymer, while condensation polymerisation also forms a small molecule such as water.

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