II.5  Report on Step Growth Polymerization
(Value 1 quiz grade due Tuesday November 8)

Write a 6 page report that gives an overview of step-growth polymerization and gelation.  Include the Carothers gelation equation and reaction mechanisms for polyamides, polyesters, polyimides, polyurethanes, polysulfones, epoxy and sol gel chemistry.  Also include a description of cross linking reactions of a pre-polymer with a crosslinking agent with a somewhat detailed example of such a crosslinking reaction.  (Use hand drawn chemical structures rather than attempting to do this with software.)