18.3.2 Condensation Polymers

• What is a condensation polymer?

  A polymer formed by elimination of a small molecule
• Condensation polymers are formed when two or more monomers react together, resulting in the loss of a small molecule such as water
• Condensation polymerization involves the elimination of a small molecule like H₂O or HCl.


  True
• Match the condensation polymer with its constituent monomers:

  Polyester ↔️ Dicarboxylic acid and dialcohol

  Polyamide ↔️ Dicarboxylic acid and diamine
• How does the formation of condensation polymers differ from addition polymers?

  Elimination of a small molecule
• Condensation polymers typically use two or more different types of monomers.


  True
• Condensation polymers are typically more rigid and have better mechanical properties
• What type of molecule is eliminated during condensation polymerization?

  A small molecule
• What is the term for the reaction in which condensation polymers are formed?

  Condensation reaction
• Steps in the mechanism of condensation polymerization:

  1️⃣ Monomer Activation

  2️⃣ Nucleophilic Attack

  3️⃣ Bond Formation

  4️⃣ Chain Propagation

  5️⃣ Termination
• What are the two possible outcomes of condensation polymerization termination?

  Monomers exhausted or end-capping
• Steps in the mechanism of condensation polymerization:

  1️⃣ Monomer Activation

  2️⃣ Nucleophilic Attack

  3️⃣ Bond Formation

  4️⃣ Chain Propagation

  5️⃣ Termination
• What small molecule is released during the formation of polyamides?

  Water
• In condensation polymerization, monomers are activated by attacking the carbonyl group of another monomer.
• The formation of a new bond in condensation polymerization releases a small molecule such as H₂O.


  True
• Match the condensation polymer with its example:

  Polyester ↔️ PET

  Polyamide ↔️ Nylon
• Condensation polymers form by eliminating small molecules, while addition polymers do not.


  True
• In polyester formation, a dialcohol reacts with a dicarboxylic acid, releasing water
• In polyamide synthesis, a diamine reacts with a dicarboxylic acid, releasing water.


  True
• Steps in the condensation polymerization mechanism

  1️⃣ Monomer Activation

  2️⃣ Nucleophilic Attack

  3️⃣ Bond Formation

  4️⃣ Chain Propagation

  5️⃣ Termination
• Match the functional groups with their resulting polymers:

  Carboxylic acid (-COOH) and Alcohol (-OH) ↔️ Polyesters

  Carboxylic acid (-COOH) and Amine (-NH₂) ↔️ Polyamides
• In condensation polymerization, small molecules such as H₂O or HCl are eliminated, forming the characteristic linkages
• Which functional group from one monomer attacks the electrophilic carbonyl carbon of another monomer in condensation polymerization?

  -OH or -NH₂
• In condensation polymerization, a small molecule like water is always released during bond formation.

  True
• What type of polymer is formed when an isocyanate (-N=C=O) reacts with an alcohol (-OH)?

  Polyurethane
• Match the polymer with its monomers and properties:

  Polyester (PET) ↔️ Dicarboxylic acid and Dialcohol ||| Rigid and strong

  Polyamide (Nylon) ↔️ Dicarboxylic acid and Diamine ||| Tough and durable
• The elimination of HCl is a characteristic of condensation reactions.


  True
• Compare condensation polymers with addition polymers:

  Condensation Polymers ↔️ Eliminate small molecules ||| Rigid and strong

  Addition Polymers ↔️ Add monomers without elimination ||| Properties vary
• In condensation polymerization, a nucleophile from one monomer attacks the electrophilic carbonyl carbon
• The polymerization ends in condensation polymerization when the monomers are exhausted
• What is the first step in the mechanism of condensation polymerization?

  Monomer activation
• A small molecule, such as water, is released during bond formation in condensation polymerization.


  True
• What two types of monomers react in polyamide synthesis to release water?

  Diamine and dicarboxylic acid
• Match the functional group combination with the resulting polymer:

  Carboxylic acid and Amine ↔️ Polyamides

  Isocyanate and Alcohol ↔️ Polyurethanes

  Epoxide and Amine ↔️ Epoxy resins
• Polyamide (Nylon) is a tough and durable polymer with high tensile strength
• What are the monomers used to form epoxy resins?

  Epoxide and amine
• In addition polymerization, monomers add directly to the chain without eliminating any molecules.


  True
• Condensation polymers can only release water as a small molecule.

  False
• How do condensation polymers compare to addition polymers in terms of mechanical properties?

  More rigid and durable
• Condensation polymers are formed when two or more monomers react together, resulting in the loss of a small molecule