Polycondensation (Condensation Polymerization)

In order to perform polycondensation it is necessary for each monomer molecule to comprise at least two functional groups able to react during the process. The functional groups which react during polycondensation can belong to one molecule or to two different molecules. Equilibrium polycondensation is usually carried out at heats up to 150–160 °C and at the end the temperature can increase up to 250 °C. Destructive reactions proceed in all cases of equilibrium polycondensation. A stoichiometric imbalance can also be caused by the presence in the reaction mixture of monofunctional admixtures with the same functional groups as the monomers. The reaction products of non-equilibrium polycondensation – the polymer and the low molecular weight substance – practically do not react with each other and thus the process is drawn completely to the formation of polymer. During polycondensation when the molecule grows in three dimensions, a strongly branched product is formed.