Chapter 25: Problem 7

Teflon is formed by a radical addition reaction involving the monomer tetrafluoroethylene. Show the mechanism for this reaction.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The Teflon formation process involves three steps: the initiator molecule splits into radicals (initiation), the radical reacts with a monomer and forms a new radical, which then reacts with other monomers (propagation), and finally, two radicals join and form the Teflon polymer (termination).

Step by step solution

Initiation

The radical reaction begins with initiation, where a radical initiator, typically a peroxide, splits into radicals through homolytic cleavage. This allows the radical to have a free electron available for the reaction. The equation is as follows: \[ R{-}O{-}O{-}R \rightarrow 2RO\cdot \]

Propagation

The propagation step includes a radical addition in which a radical reacts with a monomer, tetrafluoroethylene (C2F4) in this case, forming a new radical that can react with another monomer. The equation is as follows: \[ RO\cdot + C2F4 \rightarrow RO{-}C2F4\cdot \],\[ RO{-}C2F4\cdot + C2F4 \rightarrow RO{-}(C2F4)_2\cdot \]. This step repeats itself, forming a longer and longer chain, until it is terminated.

Termination

The termination step includes the joining of two radical intermediates to form the polymer or a reactant molecule taking up the remaining radicals. A typical termination process is given below: \[ RO{-}(C2F4)_n\cdot + RO\cdot \rightarrow RO{-}(C2F4)_n{-}OR \]. This molecule is made of repeating fluorocarbon units and is known as Teflon.

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Teflon is formed by a radical addition reaction involving the monomer tetrafluoroethylene. Show the mechanism for this reaction.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Initiation

Propagation

Termination

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