Question

I have some questions about polymer chemistry..

1. would a solid monomer at room temperature be a good candidate for bulk polymerization? Yes? or No? and Why?

2. is it common for bulk polymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate to be stirred during the reaction? Yes? or No? and Reason?

3.   Initiators require UV activation be good candidates for bulk polymerization on the industrial scale? Yes? or No?

4. the breaking of the pi bond in alkene to form a radical and the formation of new c-c bonds in the propagation step predict whether the polymerization reaction is Endothermic? or Exothermic?

Answer 1

1. No a solid monomer at room temperature is not a good candidate for bulk polymerization as in bulk polymerization monomer in liquid state and the initiator is dissolved in the monomer.

2. No for bulk polymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate stirring during the reaction is not necessary as the bulk polymerization runs slowly under controlled condition.

3. No it does not require UV activation as in the bulk polymerization only initiator and monomer is required but if UV activation in initiator act as a chain transfer agent then it can be used.

4. The formation of new c-c bonds in the propagation step and the breaking of the pi bond in alkene to form a radical predicts the polymerization reaction ​ will be Exothermic in nature as the dissipation of heat takes place in the polymerization reaction.