In dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis, electrons play a crucial role in the breaking and forming of covalent bonds between monomers. In dehydration synthesis:
- A hydrogen atom (H) from one monomer combines with a hydroxyl group (OH) from another monomer, releasing a molecule of water (H2O).
- The removal of H and OH groups creates an opening in the outer shells of atoms in the monomers.
- This allows the monomers to share electrons and form new covalent bonds, creating a larger molecule or polymer.
In hydrolysis:
- The process is essentially the reverse of dehydration synthesis.
- Water is added to break the covalent bonds that joined monomers.
- Electrons are involved in breaking these bonds, allowing the polymer to be split back into monomers.
Thus, electrons are transferred and shared to facilitate the chemical reactions of bond formation in dehydration synthesis and bond breaking in hydrolysis.
