Q27E - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

When styrene, ${\mathbf{C}}_6{\mathbf{H}}_5\mathbf{CH}\mathbf{=}{\mathbf{CH}}_2$  , is copolymerized in the presence of a few percent p-divinylbenzene, a hard, insoluble, cross-linked polymer is obtained. Show how this cross-linking of polystyrene chains occurs.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Step 1: Cross-linked polymer

Crosslink polymers are polymers in which a short sequence of bonds is link one polymer to the other polymer chain.

The linking may take place by using a covalent bond or ionic bond. The best example of a cross-linked polymer is styrene in which styrene is cross-linked in the presence of p-divinylbenzene.

Step 2: Reaction of styrene in presence of p-divinylbenzene

The above reaction shows that styrene undergoes cross link polymerization in presence of p-divinylbenzene.