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!

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