Chapter 21, Problem 81E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The three repeating units of the chain-growth polymer made from the following monomer is to be drawn.

Concept introduction:

Polymers are the large molecules formed from the smaller subunits known as monomers. Chain growth polymers are the molecules that are synthesized from the addition reaction to the growing chain. Generally, alkenes act as the monomer unit in these polymers.

The polymerization initiates when one bond between the carbon-carbon double bond breaks. This leads to the formation of new monomer units in which there is one unpaired electron on both atoms of the carbon double bond. The unpaired electron on the carbon atom of one monomer unit forms a bond with the neighboring monomer unit to form the polymer. The general three repeating units of the chain-growth polymer is,

Here, R is an alkyl group.