Condensation Polymers (Polyesters)

• What type of polymers are polyesters?

  Condensation polymers
• What links are used to make polyesters?

  Ester links
• What is the process of forming polyesters from monomers?

  • Combine dicarboxylic acid and diol
  • Remove OH from acid and H from diol
  • Form water molecule
  • Create ester link
  • Repeat with multiple monomers
• What type of acid is used in polyester formation?

  Dicarboxylic acid
• What type of alcohol is used in polyester formation?

  Diol
• What happens to the functional groups during polyester formation?

  They combine to form ester links
• What is formed when the dicarboxylic acid and diol combine?

  Water and an ester link
• What is a dimer in the context of polyesters?

  A molecule formed from two monomers
• What do the colored rectangles in molecular diagrams represent?

  The rest of the molecule
• Why do we remove OH and H from the ends of the dimer?

  To allow bonding with other units
• What notation is used to represent the number of repeating units in polyesters?

  The letter n
• Why are these polymers called condensation polymers?

  They release water during formation
• What small molecule is typically released during polyester formation?

  Water
• What is the name of the polyester formed from ethane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-diol?

  Poly(ethyl ethanoate)
• Why are polyesters generally biodegradable?

  Bacteria can break down ester links
• How do polyesters differ from addition polymers regarding biodegradability?

  Polyesters are biodegradable, addition polymers are not