CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Polymerisation
A condensation polymer is made by heating hexane-1,6-diamine with hexanedioic acid. A short section of the polymer chain is shown:
Explain how this polymer is formed and why it is classed as a condensation polymer. In your answer, describe the type of reaction that occurs, the functional groups involved, the linkage formed, the small molecule eliminated, and the repeat unit of the polymer.
7 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 7 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Explain means: Give the reasons or the mechanism: why or how something happens. Link each point to the next with because, so or which means. A list of facts with no links usually loses the reasoning marks.
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