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Chapter 25: Problem 4

Describe the two major mechanisms of organic polymer synthesis.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The two principal mechanisms for organic polymer synthesis are addition (or chain-growth) polymerization and condensation (or step-growth) polymerization. Addition polymerization involves the sequential addition of monomer units to a reactive site in a chain, whereas condensation polymerization happens when monomers with at least two reactive groups react to form larger molecules while releasing smaller molecules in the process.

Step by step solution

01

Define and explain addition polymerization

Addition polymerization, also called chain-growth polymerization, is a process that involves the sequential addition of monomer units to a reactive site in a chain. Typically, it requires the presence of an initiator to start the formation of a polymer. An initiator creates a reactive site (usually a free radical) which reacts with a monomer, causing the monomer to become part of the growing polymer chain while maintaining the reactive site at the end of the chain.
02

Give examples of addition polymerization

For instance, the polymerization of ethene to form polyethylene is a classic example of addition polymerization. This process involves an ethene monomer reacting with a free radical initiator to form a longer-chain radical, which then reacts with another ethene monomer, and this process continues, forming a long chain polymer of polyethylene.
03

Define and explain condensation polymerization

Condensation polymerization, also known as step-growth polymerization, is a process in which monomers or oligomers with two or more reactive groups react with each other to form larger structural units while smaller molecules (typically water, methanol, or acetic acid) are released in each step. In this process, the polymers grow by steps, with each step consisting of a reaction between functional groups of two molecules.
04

Give examples of condensation polymerization

An example is the formation of nylon-6,6 from hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid. In this reaction, an amine group from the diamine and a carboxyl group from the acid react, resulting in the release of a water molecule and the formation of an amide group that bridges the two monomers together.

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