Module 5: Step Growth Synthesis
5.0 Introduction and Study Guide
We will cover the basics of step growth polymerizations. TE 200 students are responsible for learning the overall synthesis reactions for polyesters and polyamides (I will show you some mechanisms, but you only have to be able to complete the overall reaction). We focus on polyesters and polyamides, but you can easily extend what you have learned to other polymers (like polyurethanes and polycarbonates).
If you need help understanding and interpreting chemical structures, STOP and go Chemistry Review & Introduction to Organic Chemistry Module and review the section on skeletal structures.
Read Sections 3.1 – 3.2: Background and Classifications and Step Growth Polymerizations in Chapter 3: Polymer Synthesis of the Polymer Science and Engineering eBook (or the equivalent in a print version).
Study Guide for Module 5: Step Growth Synthesis
By the end of the module, can you do the following?
- Given a step-growth polymer structure, determine what monomer or monomers it may have been made from (polyesters and polyamides, only).
- Complete polymerization reactions for polyesters and polyamides (nylons); mechanisms are not required.
- Explain the impact of monofunctional impurities and stoichiometric inequality on step growth polymerizations.
- Explain the impact of polymerizing a monomer with a functionality greater than 2.
Get your own copy of the Module 05 Study Guide and Checklist (link goes to a “force copy” Google Doc).