The first synthetic thread was made from a polyester. A section of the polyester is drawn below:?

Question

–––CH2COO–––CH2COO–––CH2COO–––

(i) Give the structural formula of the monomer (containing two functional groups) that could be used to make this polyester and state the names of the two functional groups.

(ii) State, giving a reason, whether this polyester is made by a condensation reaction or an addition reaction.

Answer 1

Monomer: Acetic Acid

CH3COOH

Click on this link to view the structure of acetic acid.

http://picasion.com/pic2/8ad90a3f1b3bf60...

Acetic acid is a carboxylic acid; that is, it contains a carbonyl group (-C=O) and a hydroxy group (-OH), AND the =O and -OH groups are attached to the same carbon.

The polyester is made by an addition reaction since no elimination of small molecules (such as H2O) occurs.