What is condensation polymerization, and how does it differ from addition polymerization? Give a

step 1 In this problem, we are going to discuss the differences between addition reactions and condensa

What is condensation polymerization, and how does it differ...

Key Concepts

Condensation Polymerization

This is a type of polymerization in which monomers react to form a polymer while simultaneously eliminating small molecules such as water, methanol, or hydrochloric acid. It typically involves monomers with at least two reactive functional groups and follows a step-growth mechanism, where the polymer grows by the gradual combination of smaller oligomers, leading to a wide distribution of molecular weights until high conversion is achieved.

Addition Polymerization

This is a polymerization process in which monomers add to a growing chain one at a time without the elimination of any small molecules. It usually involves unsaturated monomers, such as those containing double bonds, and follows a chain-growth mechanism where an active center (often a free radical) initiates the reaction, resulting in rapid polymerization and a relatively uniform structure of the polymer chain.

Polymerization Mechanisms (Step-Growth vs. Chain-Growth)

These mechanisms distinguish how polymers form and grow. In step-growth (condensation) polymerization, any two molecular species can react at any time, leading to slow increases in molecular weight and typically generating byproducts. In chain-growth (addition) polymerization, the growth of the polymer chain occurs from an active site through rapid successive additions, generally without the formation of any byproducts.

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