Chapter 10, Problem 17PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Ethene, vinyl chloride, and acrylonitrile do not undergo cationic polymerization while isobutylene gives the same, is to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Alkenes also undergo polymerization reaction when treated with strong acids. The growing chains in acid catalyzed polymerization are cations, rather than radicals.

A cation is an electron deficient species and its stability order is as follows:

$1^{\text{o}}<2^{\text{o}}<3^{\text{o}}$