Download Condensation Polymerisation

8.1 Condensation Polymers
1.
Starch
This activity considers how starch is formed by the polymerisation
of glucose molecules.
A condensation polymer is a polymer formed by the
removal of atoms from adjacent monomer molecules to
allow them to join together.
Small molecules are produced as well as the polymer
molecule and the process is known as condensation
polymerisation.
Formation of starch from glucose:
Each monomer involved in condensation polymerisation
must contain at least two functional groups.
2.
Polyesters
This activity examines how polyesters are formed from their
monomers.
A polyester is a molecule containing many ester links.
Esters are formed when an alcohol reacts with a carboxylic
acid.
The monomers used to make polyesters, like other
condensation polymers, contain two functional groups.
Polyesters are formed from a diacid and a diol.
Formation of polyesters:
3.
Polyamides
This activity is about how polyamides form and the functional
groups which are involved.
An amide is a molecule formed when an acid reacts with an
amine.
Amines are molecules containing a —NH2 (amino) group.
The molecules join together forming an amide link:
Polyamides are formed from a diacid and a diamine.
Formation of polyamides:
An example of a polyamide is nylon.