(a) Write down a balanced chemical equation for polymerization of a w-hydroxy carboxylic acid (HORCO2H)
(b) The following data were obtained during the condensation of 12-hydroxystearic acid at 160.5 degrees C in the molten state by sampling the reactionmixture at various times. The [COOH] was determined for each sample by titrating with ethanloic sodium hydroxide.
|
t/h
|
[COOH] / mol dm-3
|
|
0
|
3.10
|
|
0.5
|
1.30
|
|
1.0
|
0.83
|
|
1.5
|
0.61
|
|
2.0
|
0.48
|
|
2.5
|
0.40
|
|
3.0
|
0.34
|
Determine the rate coefficient for the reaction under these conditions and the order of the reaction. Also suggest whether or not a catalyst was used.
(c) What would be the extent of the reaction after (i) 1h and (ii) 5h?