Polymerization Knowledge-Based Practice

Questions

1. 1.

   Which of the following statements correctly compares addition polymerization with condensation polymerization?

   • A) Addition polymerization eliminates a small by-product molecule at each linkage step, whereas condensation polymerization retains all atoms of the reacting monomers.
   • B) Addition polymers share the same empirical formula as their monomer units, whereas condensation polymers have a different empirical formula due to the loss of small molecules.
   • C) Addition polymerization requires monomers with two different functional groups, whereas condensation polymerization requires monomers containing carbon-carbon double bonds.
   • D) Condensation polymerization proceeds exclusively through free-radical intermediates, whereas addition polymerization proceeds via nucleophilic acyl substitution.
2. 2.

   Which of the following represents the repeating unit of the polymer formed by the addition polymerization of phenylethene (styrene)?

   • A) $-[\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2]-$
   • B) $-[\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5)]-$
   • C) $-[\text{CH}(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5)-\text{CH}(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5)]-$
   • D) $-[\text{CH}=\text{C}(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5)]-$
3. 3.

   In the free-radical polymerization of vinyl monomers, which of the following events represents a chain-termination step?

   • A) Combination of two propagating radical chains
   • B) Homolytic cleavage of a peroxide initiator molecule
   • C) Addition of a growing radical chain to a monomer molecule
   • D) Attack of an initiator radical fragment on the first monomer
4. 4.

   Which of the following monomer pairs undergoes condensation polymerization to produce a polyester?

   • A) Ethene and propene
   • B) 1,6-Diaminohexane and hexanedioic acid
   • C) Benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-diol
   • D) Chloroethene and phenylethene
5. 5.

   Which of the following processes represents an addition polymerization reaction?

   • A) Formation of polypropene from propene without the elimination of any small molecule
   • B) Formation of nylon-6,6 from hexanedioic acid and hexane-1,6-diamine with the elimination of water
   • C) Formation of polyethylene terephthalate from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol with the elimination of water
   • D) Formation of a polypeptide from amino acid monomers accompanied by the release of water

Answers and step-by-step solutions appear after you finish the test.