Monomers, Polymerization, Dehydration Synthesis, and Hydrolysis

Dehydration Synthesis (Condensation)

• Definition & Mechanism:

  • Dehydration synthesis, also referred to as a condensation reaction, is the chemical process by which monomers are covalently linked together to form polymers.

  • During this process, a hydroxyl group ($-OH$) is removed from one monomer, while a hydrogen atom ($-H$) is removed from another monomer.

  • The combination of the removed hydroxyl group and hydrogen atom results in the production of a water molecule ($H_2O$) as a reaction by-product.

Hydrolysis

• Definition & Mechanism:

  • Hydrolysis is the exact chemical opposite of dehydration synthesis.

  • It is the process of splitting a polymer apart into its constituent monomers through the addition of water.

  • An enzyme assists in the reaction by helping to break the covalent bond that links two adjacent monomers together.

• Ionization and Addition Steps:

  • During hydrolysis, a water molecule ionizes into a hydroxyl ion ($OH^-$) and a hydrogen ion ($H^+$).

  • The hydroxyl ion ($OH^-$) is attached to one monomer.

  • The hydrogen ion ($H^+$) is attached to the other monomer.