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Define Condensation Polymerization

Many modern products are made from synthetic materials called polymers. They are more commonly called plastics. Using different techniques, these polymers are manufactured in a process called condensation polymerization. This is a complex process commonly used to produce such products as polyester fibers in clothes and curtains, soft drink bottles, nylon in ropes and textiles, PVC pipes and bulletproof vests.

  1. What is Polymerization

    • Polymerization is a man-made chemical process that produces a polymer from the reaction of two or several monomers. There are two types. With condensation polymerization, specific monomer types bond together to result in a polymer in which molecules such as water, hydrochloric acid and other substances are released as a byproduct of the chemical reaction. The polymerization that results in the release of a byproduct is a condensation polymerization. These byproducts distinguish it from the other type of polymerization process known as addition polymerization. This involves another group of monomers that can bond together but without releasing water or any byproduct.

    What are Monomers?

    • Monomers are simple atoms or molecules in contrast with polymers, which mean "many" molecules. The bonding of several monomers in a chemical reaction results in polymers. There are several groups or classes of monomers, but for condensation polymerization to take place, there are three functional groups used in the process. The glycol group contains an alcohol molecule, the amine group contains amino molecules and the carboxylic group contains acids.

    Types of Monomer Linkages

    • There are two functional linkages in the condensation polymerization bonding process resulting from a combination of the carboxylic group with any of the other monomer groups. The first is an ester linkage in which a carboxylic acid monomer bonds with a glycol/alcohol monomer. The bonding reaction results in the release of water and the formation of polyester PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Plastic bottles in soft drinks and magnetic tapes are examples of this polymer. The second is called amide linkages. A carboxylic acid monomer bonds with an amine monomer and results in the release of water and the formation of polyamide. This is the nylon polymer used in hosiery, ropes, parachutes and air bags.

    Considerations

    • The condensation polymerization process takes a snapshot of the major monomer functions groups that classify about 90,000 monomers. The are distinguished from other monomers by a distinct bi-functional quality that characterize the more complex monomers. In reality, monomers number in the magnitude of 10 followed by 23 zeros. But the idea behind the condensation polymerization process applies regardless of the number of monomers.

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