Nylon 88 is made from the monomers H2N(CH2)8NH2  and  HOOC(CH2)6COOH.  So, would you characterize nylon 88 as rather an addition or a condensation polymer? Please explain your answer

This is a condensation polymer. I googled "condensation polymer" and this is what I got. Let me be clear that this is copied word for word from the web. I suspect it is found this way in Wikipedia.

"Condensation polymers are any kind of polymers formed through a condensation reaction—where molecules join together—losing small molecules as by-products such as water or methanol, as opposed to addition polymers which involve the reaction of unsaturated monomers."

To determine whether nylon 88 is an addition or a condensation polymer, we need to understand the characteristics of these two types of polymers.

Addition polymers are formed through a reaction involving unsaturated monomers (monomers with double or triple bonds). In this process, the double bonds in the monomers are broken and new bonds are formed, resulting in a polymer chain with no other byproducts.

On the other hand, condensation polymers are formed through a reaction between two different monomers that release a smaller molecule, such as water or alcohol, as a byproduct. In this process, the monomers join together by forming covalent bonds between functional groups (e.g., hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) in a stepwise manner.

Now, let's analyze the monomers of nylon 88. The monomers involved in the formation of nylon 88 are H2N(CH2)8NH2 and HOOC(CH2)6COOH. Looking at these monomers, we can identify a primary amine (H2N-) and a carboxylic acid (-COOH) functional group in each.

The formation of nylon 88 involves a reaction between the primary amine group of one monomer and the carboxylic acid group of another monomer. In this reaction, a water molecule (H2O) is released as a byproduct. This process is known as a condensation reaction.

Therefore, nylon 88 is classified as a condensation polymer, as it is formed through a condensation reaction between two monomers that results in the elimination of water as a byproduct.

Nylon 88 is classified as a condensation polymer. This is because it is formed by a condensation reaction between two types of monomers, namely H2N(CH2)8NH2 (a diamine) and HOOC(CH2)6COOH (a dicarboxylic acid).

In the condensation polymerization process, a small molecule such as water or another simple molecule is eliminated during the formation of each polymer bond. In this case, when the diamine and dicarboxylic acid react, a water molecule is eliminated, and the remaining molecules join together to form the nylon polymer.

Hence, Nylon 88 is considered a condensation polymer due to its formation through the elimination of water during the reaction between the diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers.