Question

Nylon 88 is made from the monomers H2N(CH2)8NH2 and HOOC(CH2)6COOH. So, would you characterize nylon 88 as rather an addition or a condensation polymer? Please explain your answer.

Answer 1

Combination of H2N(CH2)8NH2 and HOOC(CH2)6COOH leads to the loss of water molecules at each linkage position.

Step-by-step explanation:

A condensation polymer is a polymer formed when two monomers combine with the elimination of a small molecule such as water. The removal of the small molecule occurs at the point where the two monomers are joined to each other.

Nylon is known to form condensation polymers. This is because it involves the linkage of an -OH group to an -NH2 group. Water is eliminated in the process.

In the case of H2N(CH2)8NH2 and HOOC(CH2)6COOH, linkage of the both monomers at the 8 position of each chain leads to the formation of nylon- 8,8 with loss of water molecules at each linkage position. This stepwise loss of water molecules at each linkage makes it a condensation polymer.