OCR Chemistry A2 (Unit 4, Module 2)
1.2. 7 Hydrolysis of Condensation Polymers
Polyamides and Polyesters are susceptible to hydrolysis and can be broken down
into the component monomers.
Hydrolysis reactions are therefore essentially reverse polymerisation reactions.
In the laboratory, the hydrolysis can be brought about by heating with
__________________, (base/alkaline hydrolysis) or ________________ (acid
hydrolysis).
Hydrolysis of Polyesters
Basic conditions, ester linkage is hydrolysed to:
the sodium salt of a carboxylic acid:
a hydroxyl group:
Acidic conditions, ester linkage is hydrolysed to:
the monomer units of the polyester:
Example: hydrolysis of Terylene (a polyester)
OCR Chemistry A2 (Unit 4, Module 2)
Hydrolysis of Polyamides
Basic conditions, polyamide is hydrolysed to:
the sodium salt of a dicarboxylic acid:
the diamine:
Acidic conditions, polyamide is hydrolysed to:
the dicarboxylic acid:
the ammonium salt of the diamine:
Example: hydrolysis of nylon-6,6 (a polyamide)
Degradable Polymers (p61 make notes)
Key Definitions
Biodegradable polymer –
Degradable polymer -