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11.3.2Organic Chemistry

Addition and Condensation Polymers

5 min read 5 parts Lesson 12 of 12 2 quizzes

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Section 1 of 5Addition polymerisation

ethene chloroethene polymerisation
ethene chloroethene polymerisation
ethene 1 2 diol polymerisation
ethene 1 2 diol polymerisation
ethene bromine addition bromonium
ethene bromine addition bromonium
  • Addition polymersformed when many identical alkene monomer molecules join together by opening their carbon-carbon double bonds.
    • Only one product (the polymer) is formed; 100% atom economy.
    • Poly(ethene)
      • made from ethene monomers (n C2H4 → -[CH2-CH2]n-).
      • Used in plastic bags, bottles, and packaging films.
    • Poly(propene)
      • made from propene monomers.
      • Hard, flexible, used in ropes, carpets, and crate packaging.
    • Poly(chloroethene) (PVC)tough, electrical insulator, used in water pipes and electrical wire coating.
    • Poly(tetrafluoroethene) (PTFE / Teflon)slippery, non-stick, chemically inert, used in non-stick frying pans and chemical seals.

Section 2 of 5Condensation polymerisation

polyamide condensation link formation
polyamide condensation link formation
hydroxybutanoic polyester condensation
hydroxybutanoic polyester condensation
  • Condensation polymersformed when monomer molecules with two functional groups react together, eliminating a small molecule (usually water, H2O) at each bond formation.
    TypeDescription
    Polyestersformed by reacting a dicarboxylic acid (two -COOH groups) with a diol (two -OH groups) forming ester linkages (-COO-).
    Polyamidesformed by reacting a dicarboxylic acid with a diamine (two -NH2 groups), eliminating water to form amide linkages (e.g. nylon).

Section 3 of 5Naturally occurring polymers

Natural PolymerMonomer SubunitBiological Function and Structure
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)Nucleotides (phosphate, deoxyribose sugar, base: A, T, C, G)Encodes genetic instructions; forms a double helix of two polymer strands
ProteinsAmino acids (containing -NH2 and -COOH)Catalysis (enzymes), muscle structural tissue, antibodies, transport
Starch & CelluloseGlucose (C6H12O6)Energy storage in plants (starch); structural cell walls (cellulose)

Section 4 of 5Key terms

TermMeaning
MonomerA small reactive molecule that can join with other monomers to form a repeating polymer chain.
PolymerA very large macromolecule composed of many repeating small structural units bonded together.
Condensation polymerisationA reaction linking bifunctional monomers while eliminating small molecules such as water.
NucleotideThe repeating monomer unit of nucleic acids consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.

Section 5 of 5Exam technique

Avoid these mistakes
Drawing double bonds in the repeating unit of an addition polymer — the double bond breaks during polymerisation to form single bonds extending out through the brackets.
Forgetting that condensation polymerisation produces a small by-product (water) alongside the polymer chain.
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