Step-growth (condensation) polymerization has distinct mechanistic requirements and characteristics — Polymers Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step-growth requires bi- or tri-functional monomers. It generally eliminates a small by-product. Unlike chain-growth where only monomers add to an active chain end, in step-growth, any sized oligomer can react with any other sized oligomer. High molecular weight is only achieved at very high conversions ($>98\%$).