Condensation Polymerization
Condensation Polymerization - Related Videos
06:45
Polymerization
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2023
Source: Vy M. Dong and Jan Riedel, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA Polymers are made from macromolecules, which are composed of repeating units (the so called monomeric units). In our modern world, polymers play an important role. One of the first important polymers was nylon, which is a polyamide. It found widespread application in tooth brushes and stockings.
01:33
Aldol Condensation vs Claisen Condensation
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2025
Aldol condensation is an acid or base-catalyzed condensation between aldehydes or ketones to give an α,ꞵ-unsaturated carbonyl compound. A base-promoted condensation between ester molecules to produce a ꞵ-ketoester is known as the Claisen condensation. In the presence of a base, both reactions involve deprotonation of the acidic α hydrogen to produce the corresponding enolates. The nucleophilic enolates attack their respective nonenolized carbonyl compound forming a tetrahedral intermediate.
02:39
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
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2020
The physical form of a substance changes on changing its temperature. For example, raising the temperature of a liquid causes the liquid to vaporize (convert into vapor). The process is called vaporization—a surface phenomenon. Vaporization occurs when the thermal motion of the molecules overcome the intermolecular forces, and the molecules (at the surface) escape into the gaseous state. When a liquid vaporizes in a closed container, gas molecules cannot escape. As these gas phase molecules...
01:27
Aldol Condensation with β-Diesters: Knoevenagel Condensation
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2025
The Knoevenagel condensation is an aldol-type reaction involving the condensation of aldehydes or ketones with active methylene compounds such as β-diesters to produce substituted olefins. The reaction is catalyzed by amine base, which abstracts the acidic α hydrogen of the activated methylene to generate a resonance stabilized enolate ion. The basic strength of the amine is insufficient to form the enolate of aldehydes or ketones. However, it acts as a nucleophile that attacks the carbonyl...
07:28
Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization
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2015
A protocol for the high-throughput analysis of polymerization catalyst, chain transfer polymerizations, polyethylene characterization, and reaction kinetic analysis is presented.
FAQs
Molecular weight generally rises as condensation polymerization proceeds because reactions continue among monomers, oligomers, and growing polymer chains. As functional-group conversion approaches completion, more monomer-derived units become connected through covalent bonds, increasing chain size. This explains why reaction progress, rather than initial monomer identity alone, determines the molecular scale of the resulting material.
Monomers need at least two reactive functional groups to support repeated bonding events. After one group reacts, another can connect that unit with a further monomer, oligomer, or polymer chain. This multifunctionality allows molecular structures to extend through successive covalent-bond-forming reactions, rather than stopping after a single connection.
Oligomers act as active participants rather than merely unfinished products. Their remaining reactive functional groups can interact with monomers, other oligomers, or longer chains, extending the molecular structure step by step. This network of functional-group reactions accounts for the gradual increase in molecular weight and the characteristic progression of the process.
The eliminated molecule depends on the functional-group chemistry used by the reacting monomers. Examples identified for this process include water, hydrogen chloride, and methanol. These small molecules accompany covalent-bond formation and distinguish the reaction outcome from polymer formation in which no such low-molecular-weight byproduct is identified.
A basic workflow begins with monomers carrying compatible reactive functional groups, such as carboxylic acids, alcohols, or amines. Those groups react repeatedly, first connecting monomer units and then allowing oligomers and growing chains to react further. The process continues as conversion increases, producing a polymer whose structure reflects the participating groups and reaction conditions.
Reaction conditions help control the structure formed during polymer growth, and that structure influences material properties. Adjusting the conditions can therefore affect the characteristics of the resulting polymer without changing the overall functional-group basis of the reaction. In chemistry and materials research, this relationship connects process design with performance in the final synthetic material.
This chemistry produces important polyesters and polyamides, which can be formulated into fibers, packaging, coatings, adhesives, and engineering plastics. These applications show how the same broad reaction strategy supports both flexible or formed materials and more demanding engineered products. The selected polymer structure and reaction conditions help determine which material uses are suitable.