Condensation polymerisation
Cambridge A-Level Chemistry (9701) · Unit 35: Polymerisation (A Level) · 8 flashcards
Condensation polymerisation is topic 35.1 in the Cambridge A-Level Chemistry (9701) syllabus , positioned in Unit 35 — Polymerisation (A Level) , alongside Predicting the type of polymerisation and Degradable polymers. In one line: The reaction is a condensation polymerisation. Specifically, it's an acylation reaction that forms amide linkages with the elimination of HCl as a byproduct.
Marked as A2 Level: examined at A Level in Paper 4 (A Level Structured Questions) and Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation). It is not tested on the AS-only papers (Papers 1, 2 and 3).
The deck below contains 8 flashcards — 2 definitions and 6 key concepts — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward. Use the 2 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and calculation cards to handle explain, describe, calculate and compare questions.
What type of reaction is used to form a polyamide from a diamine and a dioyl chloride
The reaction is a condensation polymerisation. Specifically, it's an acylation reaction that forms amide linkages with the elimination of HCl as a byproduct.
What the Cambridge 9701 syllabus says
2025-2027 syllabus, in our words · A2 LevelWhat the syllabus expects you to be able to do in this topic, in plain English. For the exact wording, see the official syllabus (PDF).
- Describe how polyesters form: (a) a diol reacting with either a dioyl chloride or a dicarboxylic acid; (b) a hydroxycarboxylic acid reacting on its own.
- Describe how polyamides form: (a) from a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid or a dioyl chloride; (b) from an aminocarboxylic acid; (c) from amino acids reacting together.
- Given one monomer or a pair of monomers, deduce the repeat unit that their condensation polymer would have.
- From a given part of a condensation polymer chain, identify the monomer or monomers it was made from.
Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers
These are the official Cambridge 9701 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.
Describe the formation of a polyester from a diol and a dicarboxylic acid, including the type of reaction and any byproducts.
A diol and a dicarboxylic acid react via condensation polymerisation to form a polyester. A water molecule is eliminated for each ester linkage formed, meaning water is a byproduct.
Draw the repeat unit of the polyester formed from ethane-1,2-diol and butanedioic acid.
The repeat unit is: [-O-CH₂-CH₂-O-CO-CH₂-CH₂-CO-]. Water is eliminated from the -OH groups of the diol and -COOH groups of the dicarboxylic acid.
What type of reaction is used to form a polyamide from a diamine and a dioyl chloride?
The reaction is a condensation polymerisation. Specifically, it's an acylation reaction that forms amide linkages with the elimination of HCl as a byproduct.
Draw the repeat unit formed from the condensation polymerisation of 6-aminohexanoic acid.
The repeat unit is [-NH-(CH₂)₅-CO-]. Water is eliminated between the amine and carboxylic acid groups of adjacent monomers.
Identify the monomers that form the condensation polymer with the repeat unit [-NH-CH(CH₃)-CO-NH-CH₂-CO-].
The monomers are alanine (NH₂-CH(CH₃)-COOH) and glycine (NH₂-CH₂-COOH).
What is the byproduct when a polyester is formed from a diol and a dioyl chloride?
Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is produced as the byproduct, not water.
How does the formation of a polyamide differ from that of an addition polymer?
Polyamides are formed via condensation polymerisation, where small molecules (
Describe the formation of a polyester from a hydroxycarboxylic acid.
A hydroxycarboxylic acid undergoes self-esterification via condensation polymerisation, with water being eliminated between the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of adjacent monomers.
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All Chemistry FlashcardsMore topics in Unit 35 — Polymerisation (A Level)
Condensation polymerisation sits alongside these A-Level Chemistry decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.
Key terms covered in this Condensation polymerisation deck
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