What is the structural requirement for a molecule to be a monomer in an addition reaction?

Short Answer

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A molecule has to possess reactive functional groups, often with a double or triple bond, to be a monomer in an addition reaction. For instance, ethene is a monomer for the polymer polyethylene due to its carbon-carbon double bond.

Step by step solution

01

Structural Requirement for Monomer in an Addition Reaction

A molecule will be a monomer in an addition reaction if it carries a functional group. These functional groups have high reactivity compared with the rest of the molecule, allowing them to participate in chemical reactions. Very often, these functional groups contain a double or triple bond that can 'open up' to allow other molecules to attach on a single bond basis. This 'opening up' enables a series of monomers to add together, creating a polymer. For instance, ethene (C2H4) is a monomer for the polymer polyethylene due to its carbon-carbon double bond.

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