Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 21: Problem 79

Polystyrene can be made more rigid by copolymerizing styrene with divinylbenzene: How does the divinylbenzene make the copolymer more rigid?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Divinylbenzene makes the polystyrene copolymer more rigid by creating cross-links between copolymer chains during the copolymerization process. This results in a three-dimensional network structure, which enhances the rigidity of the material compared to linear polystyrene.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the molecular structure of styrene and divinylbenzene.

Styrene is a monomer with a benzene ring attached to an ethylene chain (-CH=CH2). Divinylbenzene also contains a benzene ring but has two ethylene chains attached to it. The molecular structure of styrene is: C6H5-CH=CH2 whereas the molecular structure of divinylbenzene is: C6H4-CH=CH2-CH=CH2
02

Understand the polymerization of styrene

During the polymerization of styrene, the ethylene bonds of the styrene molecule break and create new covalent bonds with other styrene molecules. This forms a linear chain of polystyrene. The linear chain provides polystyrene with flexibility and elasticity but lacks rigidity.
03

Copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene

In the copolymerization process, styrene and divinylbenzene monomers combine, and the ethylene bonds of both monomers break to form new covalent bonds with each other. Since divinylbenzene has two ethylene chains, it can form cross-links with other styrene/divinylbenzene chains. These cross-linked chains form a three-dimensional network structure, which makes the copolymer more rigid.
04

Conclude the effect of divinylbenzene on rigidity

The divinylbenzene, with its two ethylene chains, creates cross-links between the copolymer chains during the copolymerization process. These cross-links result in a three-dimensional network structure that increases the rigidity of the polystyrene copolymer.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Aspartame, the artificial sweetener marketed under the name NutraSweet, is a methyl ester of a dipeptide: a. What two amino acids are used to prepare aspartame? b. There is concern that methanol may be produced by the decomposition of aspartame. From what portion of the molecule can methanol be produced? Write an equation for this reaction.

Draw the structural formula for each of the following. a. 3 -isobutylhexane b. 2,2,4 -trimethylpentane, also called isooctane. This substance is the reference (100 level) for octane ratings. c. 2 -tert-butylpentane d. The names given in parts a and c are incorrect. Give the correct names for these hydrocarbons.

When acrylic polymers are burned, toxic fumes are produced. For example, in many airplane fires, more passenger deaths have been caused by breathing toxic fumes than by the fire itself. Using polyacrylonitrile as an example, what would you expect to be one of the most toxic, gaseous combustion products created in the reaction?

Cows can digest cellulose, but humans can't. Why not?

Give the structure of each of the following aromatic hydrocarbons. a. \(o\) -ethyltoluene b. \(p\) -di-tert-butylbenzene c. \(m\) -diethylbenzene d. \(1-\) phenyl- 2 -butene
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free