What is the equation to represent the polymerization of ethene?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 7, 2016

This one's easy:

#H_2C=CH_2 + H_2C=CH_2 + H_2C=CH_2 etc. rarr H_2C-CH_2-CH_2-CH_(2)-CH_2CH_2 etc.#

Explanation:

Ethylene polymerization is the #C-C# bond formation reaction par excellence. It takes a volatile reactant, ethylene gas, and clips the so-called monomers together to form a polymer. A typical polyethylene chain may contain 1000's of monomers.

The reaction is catalyzed by soluble transition metals, or (more commonly) on a solid surface.

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