Question

What is chain reaction polymerization?

Answer 1

1. When monomer units react with each other they form polymers and this process is known as polymerization.
2. In chain reaction polymerization, the monomer units are joined together to form a large chain.
3. The monomer may be the same or different. Generally, chain reaction polymerization the formation of a chain is the result of either an ionic mechanism or a free radical mechanism. The three steps free radical mechanism is shown below-

Step 1- Chain initiation

1. It involves the homolytic cleavage and leads to the formation of Free radicals.
2. The free radical will attack the Ethene molecule and forms another free radical.

Step 2- Chain propagation

1. This process keeps on repeating and new free radicals keep forming.

Step 3- Chain termination

1. Now the free radicals combine and give the desired products.
2. This will leads to the termination of the reaction and formation of products.

1. Example of chain polymerization reaction is when monomer vinyl chloride reacts leads to the formation of polymer Polyvinylchloride(PVC).