Polyethylene glycol, or Carbowax®, is widely used as a binder, thickening agent, and packaging additive for foods. Propose a polymerization mechanism as far as the tetramer.

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
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Polyethylene glycol, or Carbowax®, is widely used as a binder, thickening agent, and packaging additive for foods. Propose a polymerization mechanism as far as the tetramer.

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Introduction

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polyethylene resin derived from petroleum for many uses, from industrial processing to medicine. Based on its molecular weight, PEG is also known as polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polyoxyethylene (POE). The PEG configuration is generally represented as H−(O−CH2−CH2)n−OH. PEG is the basis of a variety of laxatives. Entire intestinal treatment with polyethylene glycol and additional electrolytes is used for intestinal preparation prior to surgery or colonoscopy. PEG is also used as an additive in a variety of prescription products.

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