Question

Which of the following polymers have vinylic monomer units?

(i) Acrilan

(ii) Polystyrene

(iii) Nylon

(iv) Teflon

Answer 1

(i) Acrilan

(ii) Polystyrene

(iv) Teflon

Explanation:

The addition polymerisation of acrylonitrile in presence of a peroxide catalyst leads to the formation of polyacrylonitrile. polyacrylonitrile is used as a substitute for wool in making commercial fibres as orion or acrilan.

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{....................................}\ce{CH}\\
\phantom{..................................}|\\
\ce{\underset{Acrylonitrile}{nCH2 = CHCN} ->[Polymerisation][Peroxide catalyst] -[\underset{Polyacrylonitrile}{CH2 - CH}]\underset{n}{-}}
\end{array}\]

Polystyrene has the monomer unit styrene. Teflon is manufactured by heating tetrafluoroethylene with a free radical or persulphate catalyst at high pressures.