Polüondensatsioonil

Polüondensatsioon is a type of step-growth polymerization process where monomers react to form a polymer, with the simultaneous release of a small molecule byproduct, such as water, methanol, or hydrochloric acid. This differs from addition polymerization where monomers simply add to one another without the loss of any atoms. The reaction typically involves monomers with at least two functional groups, which can react with each other to create repeating ester, amide, ether, or other linkages.

The molecular weight of the polymer increases gradually as the reaction proceeds, and at any given point, a mixture of monomers, oligomers, and polymers of various chain lengths will be present. The reaction is usually reversible and can be driven to completion by removing the small molecule byproduct. Common examples of polymers formed via polycondensation include polyesters like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamides like nylon, and polycarbonates. These materials find widespread use in textiles, plastics, and engineering applications. The reaction kinetics and the properties of the resulting polymer are significantly influenced by factors such as monomer concentration, temperature, catalyst presence, and the efficiency of byproduct removal.