Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Organic: Polymers

Question:

Case: Read the passage and answer the following questions

There are two broad types of polymerisation reactions, i.e., the addition or chain growth polymerisation and condensation or step-growth polymerisation. In chain-growth polymerisation, the molecules of the same monomer or different monomers add together on a large scale to form a polymer. This type of polymerisation is explained free radicle mechanism. Some important addition polymers are polythene and teflon. Condensation polymerisation or step-growth polymerisation generally involves a repetitive condensation reaction between two bi-functional or trifunctional monomeric units. Some important condensation polymers are nylon, Bakelite, and formaldehyde polymer. Copolymerisation is a polymerisation reaction in which a mixture of more than one monomeric species is allowed to polymerise and form a copolymer. Rubber and its derivatives are copolymers.

What is the step called in the process of addition of phenyl free radical formed by the peroxide to the ethene double bond thus generating a new and larger free radical?
Options:
Starting step
Chain initiation step
Chain propagation step
Chain termination step
Correct Answer:
Chain initiation step
Explanation:
The polymerisation of ethene to polythene consists of heating or exposing to light a mixture of ethene with a small amount of benzoyl peroxide initiator. The process starts with the addition of phenyl free radical formed by the peroxide to the ethene double bond thus generating a new and larger free radical. This step is called the chain initiating step.