Condensation Polymerisation (AQA GCSE Chemistry)

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Condensation Polymerisation

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  • Condensation polymers are formed when two different monomers are linked together with the removal of a small molecule, usually water
  • This is a key difference between condensation polymers and addition polymers:
    • Addition polymerisation forms the polymer molecule only
    • Condensation polymerisation forms the polymer molecule and one water molecule per linkage

  • The monomers have two functional groups present, one on each end
  • The functional groups at the ends of one monomer react with the functional group on the end of the other monomer, in so doing creating long chains of alternating monomers, forming the polymer
  • Polyesters are formed from two different monomers and produce water
  • For every ester linkage formed in condensation polymerisation, one molecule of water is formed from the combination of a proton (H+) and a hydroxyl ion (OH)
  • An example is terylene which is a polyester made from dicarboxylic acid monomers (a carboxylic with a -COOH group at either end) and diols (an alcohol with an -OH group at either end)
  • Each -COOH group reacts with another -OH group on another monomer
  • An ester linkage is formed with the subsequent loss of one water molecule per link

Forming-Terylene, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

The condensation reaction in which the polyester terylene is produced

  • The structure of terylene can be represented by drawing out the polymer using boxes to represent the carbon chains
  • This can be done for all polyesters

Terylene, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Diagram showing a section of the polyester terylene

Exam Tip

Notice that the sequence of bonding in the polyester is the mirror image at either end of the link, NOT the link repetition due to the monomers containing the same functional group at either end.

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.