Chapter 26, Problem 26.21YT

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

To determine the mechanism for the reaction that forms a double bond in the product in equation 26-42.

Concept introduction:

The reactions in which the products have higher entropy than the reactants are likely to occur at high temperatures. Elimination, for example, is favored at high temperatures because of the increase in entropy as the reactants form products. An analogous situation occurs in PVC, in which HCl can be eliminated to form double bonds, as shown in Equation 26-42. Chemists believe that the double bonds form via an E1 mechanism. Once double bonds begin to form, subsequent eliminations of HCl from the polymer chain occur more readily PVC.