Question

What is bakelite and melamine?

Answer 1

Bakelite:

• It is a copolymer of phenol and formaldehyde.
• It is a thermosetting polymer and has a highly cross-linked structure.
• It is formed by the condensation reaction of phenol with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid or a base catalyst.
• The structure of bakelite is shown below in the image.

Melamine:

• It is formed by condensation polymerization.
• The condensation of urea results in the formation of melamine and with formaldehyde on polycondensation results in the formation of melamine polymer.
• The structure of melamine is shown below in the image.