Addition Polymerization

Addition polymers form:

 when unsaturated carbon (organic) molecules react to form a long chain polymer
molecule
 and no small molecules or atoms are eliminated during the reaction

The general reaction can be represented as:

R R'
catalyst | |
nR-C=C-R' -------> -(- C - C -)n-

where R and R' can represent hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, alkyl or other carbon-containing side
chains.
Monomer Name Polymer Name
Polymer Uses
Monomer Structure Polymer Structure
LDPE for sandwich wrap,
polyethene (polythene or
ethene (ethylene) cling wrap
polyethylene)
CH2=CH2 HDPE for water pipes, wire
-[-CH2-CH2-]n-
insulation

electrical appliances,
propene (propylene) polypropene (polypropylene)
automotive applications,
CH2=CHCH3 -[-CH2-CHCH3-]n-
ropes, carpets, films

chloroethane (vinyl
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) indoor electrical conduit,
chloride)
-[-CH2-CHCl-]n- underground water pipes
CH2=CHCl

Insulation for wires, motors,

tetrafluoroethene polytetrafluorethene
generators, etc.
(tetrafluoroethylene) (polytetrafluoroethylene, teflon)
Anti-stick applications in
CF2=CF2 -[-CF2-CF2-]n-
cookware, bearings.

polystyrene
H H  
styrene (vinyl benzene) | |  
-[C- C- ]n- heat and electrical insulation,
| | pipes
CH2=CH
H
 acrylonitrile (vinyl
polyacrylonitrile acrylic fabrics stronger than
cyanide)
-[-CH2-CHCN-]n- wool
CH2=CH-CN

vinyl acetate polyvinylacetate (PVA)

adhesives, paints
CH3COOCH=CH2 -[-CH3COOCH-CH2-]n-

Condensation Polymerization
Condensation polymers form:

 when bifunctional monomers react to form a long chain polymer molecule

 small molecules, such as water, are eliminated during the reaction

Polyesters, polyamides, proteins and polysaccharides such as cellulose, are all examples of
condensation polymers.

Polyesters

Polyesters form when the -OH functional group of one monomer reacts with the -COOH
functional group of another monomer.
An ester link (-COO-) is formed between monomers during the reaction.
H2O is eliminated in the reaction.

General reaction between a dicarboxylic acid and a diol:

HO OH OH  
| | |  
C - R - C + HO- R'-OH -----> C -R- C -O-R'-OH + H2O
|| || || ||
O O O O

Example:
terephthalic acid + ethylene glycol -----> polyethyleneterephthalate (terylene or dacron)

nHOOC COOH + nHO-(CH2)2-OH -----> -(-OC COO-(CH2)2-O-)n- + nH2O

Polyamides

Polyamides form when when the -COOH functional group of one monomer reacts with the
-NH2 functional group of another monomer.
An amide link or peptide bond (-CO-NH-) forms between monomers during the reaction.
H2O is eliminated in the reaction.
Proteins are naturally occurring polyamides.

General reaction between a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine:

HOOC-R-COOH + H2N-R'-NH2 -----> HOOC-R-CONH-R'-NH2 + H2O

Example:
hexanedioc acid + 1,6-hexanediamine ---> nylon-6,6 + water
nHOOC-(CH2)4-COOH + nH2N-(CH2)6-NH2 ---> -(-OC-(CH2)4-CONH-(CH2)6-NH-)n- +
nH2O