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Hydrolysis
Polyesters: under acidic or basic conditions.
- Alkali: hot aq alkali e.g NaOH. Hydrolysed to:
- Sodium salt of a carboxylic acid, -COO-Na+
- a hydroxyl group, -OH
- Acid: hot aq acid e.g. HCl
- Produces monomer units in A level chemistry
- Slower reaction than with alkali
In A level chemistry curriculum, please remember that polyamides:
- Acid: dicarboxylic acid + diamine
- Alkali: sodium salt of dicarboxylic acid + diamine
Biodegradable:
- Have chemical bonds that can undergo hydrolysis
- Photodegradable breakdown after exposure to sunlight as mentioned in A level chemistry curriculum
End of this topic!
Drafted by Gina (Chemistry)