Condensation Polymers

• What type of polymers are polyesters classified as?

  Condensation polymers
• What are polyesters made using?

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

  • Combine dicarboxylic acid and diol
  • Dicarboxylic acid gives up OH group
  • Diol gives up H atom from OH group
  • Water molecule is formed
  • Ester link is created
• What type of monomers are used to create polyesters?

  Dicarboxylic acid and diol monomers
• What does a dicarboxylic acid monomer contain?

  Two carboxylic acid groups
• What does a diol monomer contain?

  Two alcohol groups
• What do the colored rectangles in molecular diagrams represent?

  The rest of the molecule
• What happens to the dicarboxylic acid during polymerization?

  It gives up its OH group
• What does the diol give up during the polymerization process?

  A hydrogen atom from its OH group
• What is formed when the dicarboxylic acid and diol combine?

  An ester link and water molecule
• What is the term for the bond formed between the dicarboxylic acid and diol?

  Ester link
• What is a dimer in the context of polyesters?

  A combination of two monomers
• How do we represent repeating units in condensation polymers?


  Using the letter n
• Why do we put 2n in front of H2O in the polymer equation?

  Because two water molecules are formed
• Why are these polymers called condensation polymers?

  They release water during formation
• What are the necessary conditions for monomers to combine in condensation polymers?

  Two functional groups and small molecule release
• What is the product formed when ethane dicarboxylic acid combines with ethane diol?

  Poly ethyl ethanoate
• Why are polyesters generally biodegradable?

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

  Addition polymers are generally not biodegradable
• What are the key characteristics of condensation polymers?

  • Formed from monomers with two functional groups
  • At least two different functional groups
  • Small molecule (usually water) is released
• What is the difference between polyesters and addition polymers?

  • Polyesters: biodegradable, formed via condensation
  • Addition polymers: non-biodegradable, formed via addition