Question

Answer the following questions regarding the formation of polymers. a. What structural features must be present in a monomer in order to form a homopolymer polyester? b. What structural features must be present in the monomers in order to form a copolymer polyamide? (Hint: Nylon is an example of a polyamide. When the monomers link together to form nylon, an amide functional group results from each linkage.) c. What structural features must be present in a monomer that can form both an addition polymer and a condensation polymer?

Short answer

a. A monomer must have a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and an alcohol group (-OH) to form a homopolymer polyester. b. One monomer must have an amino group (-NH2) and the other monomer must have a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) to form a copolymer polyamide. c. A monomer capable of forming both addition and condensation polymers must have a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) and at least one functional group, such as carboxylic acid (-COOH), alcohol (-OH), or amino group (-NH2).

Step-by-step solution

Identify the functional groups necessary for polyester formation

To form a homopolymer polyester, the monomer must have two functional groups: a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and an alcohol group (-OH).

Describe the reaction between these functional groups

The carboxylic acid group and the alcohol group react in a condensation polymerization process, resulting in the formation of an ester linkage and the release of a water molecule. This reaction is called esterification.

Summarize the structural features for a homopolymer polyester

A monomer capable of forming a homopolymer polyester must have both a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and an alcohol group (-OH) to undergo esterification during condensation polymerization. #b. Copolymer Polyamide#

Identify the functional groups necessary for polyamide formation

To form a copolymer polyamide, one monomer must have an amino group (-NH2) while the other monomer must have a carboxylic acid group (-COOH).

Describe the reaction between these functional groups

The amino group from one monomer reacts with the carboxylic acid group from the other monomer in a condensation polymerization process. An amide linkage is formed, and a water molecule is released. This reaction is called amidation.

Summarize the structural features for a copolymer polyamide

One monomer must have an amino group (-NH2) and the other monomer must have a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) to undergo amidation during condensation polymerization and form a copolymer polyamide. #c. Monomer for Both Addition and Condensation Polymers#

Identify the functional groups necessary for addition polymerization

To form an addition polymer, the monomer must have a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C), which can undergo an addition reaction during polymerization.

Identify the functional groups necessary for condensation polymerization

As discussed above, to form condensation polymers, the monomer must have functional groups like carboxylic acid (-COOH), alcohol (-OH), or amino group (-NH2) that can react with other monomers.

Summarize the structural features for a monomer that can form both an addition and condensation polymer

A monomer capable of forming both an addition and condensation polymer must have a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) and at least one functional group, such as carboxylic acid (-COOH), alcohol (-OH), or amino group (-NH2), that can participate in the respective polymerization reactions.