Consider the copolymer structure: Cl Draw the structures of the two alkene monomers used to form the copolymer: Select Draw Rings More CIH
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The two alkene monomers used to form the copolymer are chloroethene and propene.
Chloroethene (Vinyl Chloride)
Cl
\
C=C
/ \
H H(Skeletal structure: A double bond between two carbons, with a chlorine atom attached to one of the carbons.)
Propene (Propylene)
CH3
/
C=C
/ \
H H(Skeletal structure: A three-carbon chain with a double bond between the first and second carbon atoms.)
Explanation:
The provided structure is a copolymer, meaning it is formed from two or more different types of monomers. This specific polymer is an addition polymer, created by the polymerization of alkenes. In an addition polymerization reaction, the double bonds (C=C) within the alkene monomers break and form new single bonds (C-C), linking the monomers together to create a long chain called the polymer backbone.
To determine the original monomers, we need to reverse this process. This involves identifying the repeating units within the polymer chain and then re-forming the double bonds.
- Identify the Repeating Units: Look at the polymer’s backbone. We can see a pattern of substituents attached to the carbon chain. There are two distinct repeating units:
- One unit consists of a two-carbon segment with a chlorine atom (Cl) attached to one of the carbons. In the polymer, this unit appears as –CH(Cl)–CH2–.
- The other unit is a two-carbon segment with a methyl group (–CH3) attached to one of the carbons. In the polymer, this unit appears as –CH(CH3)–CH2–.
- Re-form the Monomers: For each identified two-carbon unit, we re-establish the double bond between the two carbon atoms of the backbone to reconstruct the original alkene monomer.
- For the –CH(Cl)–CH2– unit, creating a double bond between the carbons results in the monomer chloroethene (CH2=CHCl), commonly known as vinyl chloride.
- For the –CH(CH3)–CH2– unit, creating a double bond results in the monomer propene (CH2=CHCH3), commonly known as propylene.
Therefore, the copolymer is formed from the addition polymerization of chloroethene and propene.
