Question

Write the reactions for the formation of nylon 6,6 polymer.

Hint:

Nylon 6,6 is formed by a condensation reaction between hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid, releasing water in the process.

Answer 1

Nylon 6,6 is a synthetic polymer made by the condensation reaction between hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid. The reaction is a type of step-growth polymerization, and the formation of the polymer is as follows: The chemical reaction is: \[ \text{Hexamethylenediamine} (\text{H}_2\text{N} - \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2) + \text{Adipic acid} (\text{HOOC} - \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{COOH}) \rightarrow \text{Nylon 6,6} + \text{Water} \] The reaction occurs in two steps: 1. The amine group of hexamethylenediamine reacts with the carboxyl group of adipic acid to form an amide linkage, releasing water. 2. This reaction repeats to form long polymer chains of nylon 6,6. \[ \text{H}_2\text{N} - \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2 + \text{HOOC} - \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} \rightarrow \text{[-NH-(CH}_2)_6\text{-NH-CO-(CH}_2)_4\text{-CO-]}_n + n\text{H}_2\text{O} \] Thus, nylon 6,6 is formed by the condensation polymerization of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid.