# Nylon-6,6 is a condensation polymer used to make clothing fibres and parachute fabric. Explain why nylon-6,6 is described as a condensation polymer and outline the structural features of the monomers needed to form it.

> Edexcel A-Level Chemistry (9CH0) — 18.3 Polymers · Explain · 5 marks

> Nylon-6,6 is made from two different monomers: hexanedioic acid (a dicarboxylic acid) and hexane-1,6-diamine (a diamine). It is widely used in textiles and engineering applications.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. A small molecule (water) is released/eliminated each time a monomer unit joins the growing chain
2. Monomers join together to form a longer chain / polymer backbone via repeated condensation reactions
3. Each monomer must have two functional groups (bifunctional) so that it can bond to two other monomers / form a chain
4. Hexanedioic acid provides two carboxylic acid (–COOH) groups
5. Hexane-1,6-diamine provides two amine (–NH₂) groups, and the –COOH and –NH₂ groups react together to form an amide/peptide linkage (–CO–NH–)

## Key terms

- [condensation polymer](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/condensation-polymer)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/nylon-6-6-is-a-condensation-polymer-used-472542cc) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.