A chemist considers using molecules A and B as starting materials.
| Molecule | Type of molecule | Structural formula |
|---|---|---|
| A | alcohol | CH3CH2OH\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}CH3CH2OH |
| B | carboxylic acid | CH3CH2COOH\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COOH}CH3CH2COOH |
A hydroxyl group can react with a carboxyl group. A covalent link forms and water is released.
Many molecules of A and B are mixed. Suggest why the reaction does not build a long polymer chain.