CONDENSATION POLYMERS

Addition polymers Condensation polymers

the difference in how monomers join together to make a polymer and monomers join together to make a polymer and
they are made no other substance is formed another small molecules, often water, is given off

what type of
molecules the alkenes (molecules with C=C) molecules with two functional groups
monomers are

(a) Polyesters

When a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol, an ester is formed with water released as the molecules join
together. If a dicarboxylic acid reacts with a diol, a polymer called a polyester is formed and water is released.

and represent groups of atoms between the two

functional groups

lots of small
molecules
(monomers)

– H2O

join together to
form a long
chain molecule
(polymer)

n
repeating unit structure polymer structure

Example of a polyester

monomers and

polymer

polymer structure repeating unit

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 (b) Polyamides

When a carboxylic acid reacts with an amine, an amide is formed with water released as the molecules join
together. If a dicarboxylic acid reacts with a diamine, a polymer called a polyamide is formed and water is
released.

and represent groups of atoms between the two

functional groups

lots of small
molecules
(monomers)

– H2O

join together to
form a long
chain molecule
(polymer)

repeating unit structure polymer structure

Example of a polyamide

monomers and

polymer

polymer structure repeating unit

Polyamides can also be formed by the polymerisation of amino acids as they contain a carboxylic acid group and
an amine group.

structure of monomer repeating unit of polymer structure of polymer

© www.CHEMSHEETS.co.uk 16-July-2017 Chemsheets GCSE 1237

 Monomer 1 Monomer 2 Polymer

repeating unit

structure

repeating unit

structure

repeating unit

structure

© www.CHEMSHEETS.co.uk 17-July-2017 Chemsheets GCSE 1237

 Monomer 1 Monomer 2 Polymer

repeating unit

structure

repeating unit

One monomer only

structure

repeating unit

structure

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