In comparing the kinetics and molecular weight progression of step-growth (condensation) versus chai — Polymers Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In step-growth polymerization, monomers react rapidly to form dimers, trimers, and oligomers. High molecular weight polymers only form near the very end of the reaction (high conversion) as these oligomers link together. Conversely, in chain-growth, a single chain grows rapidly to high molecular weight in a fraction of a second, leaving unreacted monomer present until the end.