Question

What is orlon? Give its method of preparation.

Answer 1

Orlon:

• Orlon is a man-made polymer of acrylonitrile ( ${\mathrm{CH}}_2=\mathrm{CH}-\mathrm{CN}$ ).
• Thus its monomer is vinyl cyanide or Prop-2-ene-1-nitrile.
• It is synthetic acrylic fiber.
• It is used as a substitute for wool for making blankets, sweaters, etc, hence it is also known as ‘artificial wool’.

Preparation of orlon

• when acrylonitrile undergoes a polymerization reaction using a peroxide initiator, then there is the formation of polyacrylonitrile ( PAN ).