Topic 1 (production): DP 1:(6) outline the steps in the production of polyethylene as an example of a commercially and industrially important polymer

Question 1

What are the 3 steps in polyethylene production?

Answer 1

1. Initiation
2. Propagation
3. Termination

Question 2

What occurs in initiation?

Answer 2

Peroxide containing O-O bond that easily breaks and forms free radicals in used to initiate the joining of ethene molecules.

Question 3

What occurs in propagation?

Answer 3

Ethylene free radicals add on to another ethylene monomer

Question 4

What occurs in termination?

Answer 4

• Chain of ethylene monomers grows until it encounters another free radical and the chain is terminated (forms a complete polyethylene molecule)
• The two unpaired electrons from both free radicals pair so no addition is possible