Condensation polymers for AQA A-level Chemistry

Condensation polymers

This page covers the following topics:

1. Condensation polymerisation and amino acids
2. Further condensation polymerisation
3. Definitions of polymer terms
4. Intermolecular forces

Amino acids can react by condensation polymerisation to form biological proteins.

Condensation polymerisation and amino acids

When dicarboxylic acid and diol monomers join through condensation polymrisarion, a polyester is formed.

Further condensation polymerisation

A polymer is a long chain molecules made up of many smaller molecules. Polyamides, polypeptides and polyesters are all types of polymers.

Definitions of polymer terms

Condensation polymers are made up of monomers connected through polar bonds: C-N and C-O.

Intermolecular forces

1

Draw the product formed when NH₂CH₂NH₂ forms a singular peptide bond with CO₂CH₂CO₂H.

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image

Draw the product formed when NH₂CH₂NH₂ forms a singular peptide bond with CO₂CH₂CO₂H.

2

What is a polyester?

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It is polymer with the repeating units bonded through ester linkages.

What is a polyester?

3

What molecule is lost when two amino acids join in a condensation reaction?

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water molecule

What molecule is lost when two amino acids join in a condensation reaction?

4

In what state would you expect to find polymers at room temperature?

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solid

In what state would you expect to find polymers at room temperature?

5

What is the name for an organic compound made up of amino acids, that is used in the body for growth and repair?

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protein

What is the name for an organic compound made up of amino acids, that is used in the body for growth and repair?

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