Polyoxymethylene (polyformaldehyde) is the tough, self-lubricating Delrin® plastic used in gear wheels.
(a) Give the structure of polyformaldehyde.
(b) Formaldehyde is polymerized using an acidic catalyst. Using H+ as a catalyst, propose a mechanism for the polymerization as far as the trimer.
(c) Is Delrin® an addition polymer or a condensation polymer?