New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Condensation polymerisation

I can explain the basic principles of condensation polymerisation.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Condensation polymerisation

I can explain the basic principles of condensation polymerisation.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Condensation polymerisation requires monomers with two functional groups.
  2. Condensation polymers can be made of two different monomers.
  3. A polyester is formed by reaction of a monomer with two carboxylic acid groups with a monomer with two alcohol groups.
  4. In condensation polymerisation as well as the polymer a small molecule is formed, usually water.
  5. Amino acids contain two functional groups and can form polypeptides and proteins.

Common misconception

Thinking that all polymers are only made up of one monomer. Also, confusing condensation reactions to think that it means to condense and take up less space.

Examples are shown where more than one monomer is used to make condensation polymers. Discuss what condensation is, and how condensation polymerisation produces water or other small molecules depending on the monomers used.

Keywords

  • Condensation polymerisation - Condensation polymerisation is a type of polymerisation where monomers join together to form a polymer and a small molecule such as water.

  • Addition polymerisation - Addition polymerisation is a type of polymerisation where monomers with a C=C double bond join together to form only one product, a polymer.

  • Polyesters - Polyesters are condensation polymers formed from monomers containing carboxylic acid and alcohol groups. They contain ester bonds.

  • Polyamides - Polyamides are condensation polymers formed from monomers containing carboxylic acid and amine groups. They contain amide bonds.

  • Polypeptides - Polypeptides are condensation polymers formed from amino acids. They contain peptide bonds.

Molymods are useful to model how the polymer forms and a small molecule.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following statements about addition polymerisation are correct?
Correct answer: addition polymerisation results in the formation of one product
addition polymerisation results in the formation of two products
Correct answer: addition polymers are made from alkene monomers
addition polymers are made from alcohol and carboxylic acid monomers
Q2.
Which homologous series does this compound belong to?
An image in a quiz
alkanes
alkenes
Correct answer: alcohols
carboxylic acids
esters
Q3.
Name the molecule shown in the image
An image in a quiz
ethanol
propanol
Correct answer: ethanoic acid
propanoic acid
Q4.
Identify the functional groups present in the molecule shown in the image
An image in a quiz
C=C
Correct answer: -COOH
Correct answer: -OH
Correct answer: -COO-
-NH₂
Q5.
Which two reactants can react together in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce this compound?
An image in a quiz
ethane
ethene
Correct answer: ethanol
Correct answer: ethanoic acid
ethyl ethanoate
Q6.
The image shows an amino acid. How many functional groups are present in this amino acid?
An image in a quiz
1
Correct answer: 2
3
4
5

6 Questions

Q1.
Which homologous series does the molecule in the image belong to?
An image in a quiz
alkane
alkene
alcohol
carboxylic acid
Correct answer: ester
Q2.
Which of the following statements about condensation polymerisation are true?
condensation polymerisation produces 1 product
Correct answer: condensation polymerisation produces 2 products
Correct answer: monomers of condensation polymerisation contain at least 2 functional groups
monomers of condensation polymerisation contain the C=C functional group
Q3.
Which polymer could be formed from the following monomer?
An image in a quiz
poly(ethene)
polyester
Correct answer: polyamide
poly(vinyl chloride)
Q4.
When this monomer polymerises what will be produced?
An image in a quiz
polyamide
Correct answer: polyester
hydrogen chloride
Correct answer: water
hydrogen
Q5.
A section of a polymer is shown in the image. Which two monomers could join together to form this polymer?
An image in a quiz
dialcohol
Correct answer: dicarboxylic acid
Correct answer: diamine
dihaloalkane
Q6.
Which keyword is used to describe condensation polymers formed from amino acids?
Correct Answer: polypeptides, polypeptide, proteins, protein