Chapter 26, Problem 26.49P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The two products of the given polymerization reaction are to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Polymers form when two suitable functional groups in a bifunctional monomer react with each other, adding one monomer at each reaction step to a growing chain. Another possibility is a similar reaction between two different monomers, each one containing the same functional group at each end, compatible with the functional groups in the other monomer.

Typically, this results in the formation of a polymer chain with the loss of a small molecule such as water or HX (X a halogen) for the addition of each monomer.