Chapter 23.4, Problem 25LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : To describe how condensation polymers are formed.

Concept Introduction : Condensation Polymers are produced using polymerization. Condensation polymers are formed from two different monomers which combine to produce a large molecule by eliminating smaller molecules like water or ethanol.

Answer to Problem 25LC

Condensation polymers are formed when two monomers are combined to form a large structure by the process of condensation.

Explanation of Solution

  ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}\text{OH}+{\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\text{COOH}\to {\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{COOCH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}+{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$

The above reaction is an example of a condensation reaction. This reaction is also called esterification. The acid and the alcohol are made to react with each other to form an ester which is a larger molecule by releasing water. The ester formed here is a condensation polymer.

Another example is

  ${\text{HOOC–(CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{)}}_{\text{n}}{\text{–COOH + HO–(CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{)}}_{\text{m}}\text{–OH}\to {\text{HOOC–(CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{)}}_{\text{n}}{\text{–COO–(CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{)}}_{\text{m}}{\text{–OH + H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$

The polyester that is formed here is a condensation polymer that is formed by the reaction of dibasic acid and glycol.

Conclusion

Condensation polymerization that results in the formation of the condensation polymer is a step-growth polymerization. Many condensation polymers are used as fibers and thus, it is important to produce condensation polymers.