BRAINCAKEPolyesters
A polyester is a condensation polymer in which the monomers are joined by ester links, COO. In condensation polymerisation, a small molecule (usually water) is lost each time two monomers join.
To make a polyester you need monomers with two functional groups each:
• a dicarboxylic acid, HOOC-R-COOH
• a diol, HO-R'-OH
A COOH group of the acid reacts with an OH group of the diol, forming an ester link and eliminating H2O. Because every monomer has a reactive group at each end, the chain keeps growing. A diacyl chloride can be used in place of the dicarboxylic acid; then HCl is eliminated instead of water.
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More in Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
- Reduction of Carboxylic Acids
- Reactions with Bases
- Reaction with PCl5
- Esterification
- Acyl Chlorides
- Reactions of Acyl Chlorides with Water, Alcohols, Ammonia and Amines
- Esters
- Hydrolysis of Esters
All 12 lessons in Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives · All Edexcel A-level Chemistry topics