Teflon is a polymer of: (a) Tetrafluorethylene (b) Tetraiodoethylene (c) Tetrabromoethylene (d) Tetrachloroethylene

Polytetrafluoroethylene, more commonly known as PTFE or by its most famous brand name, Teflon, is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has numerous applications. The process of creating PTFE involves the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) into long carbon-fluorine chains, which give PTFE its exceptional properties such as non-reactivity, low friction, and resistance to high temperatures. These characteristics make PTFE ideal for use in a variety of industries, ranging from cookware to aerospace.

The molecular structure of PTFE is such that each repeat unit in the polymer chain consists of two carbon atoms surrounded by fluorine atoms. This fluorocarbon structure creates a slippery, protective surface which doesn't allow other materials to adhere to it, and is accountable for the 'non-stick' features of cookware coatings. Furthermore, PTFE's ability to withstand temperatures of up to nearly 327°C (620°F) makes it suitable for use in extreme conditions.

In polymer chemistry, identifying the monomer that will form the desired polymer is a fundamental step. A monomer is a molecule that can bind chemically to other identical molecules to form a polymer. In the exercise, to determine Teflon's monomer, the structure of the desired polymer guides us. PTFE consists of recurring units of -CF2-CF2-, suggesting that the monomer must contain two carbon atoms and four fluorine atoms.

Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), the correct monomer for PTFE, fits this requirement as it is made up of two carbon atoms each bonded to two fluorine atoms. The four fluorine atoms create a strong protective layer around the carbon atoms, resulting in Teflon's well-known chemical inertness and thermal stability. Other compounds listed in the exercise, like tetraiodoethylene, tetrabromoethylene, and tetrachloroethylene, have different properties and would lead to polymers with markedly different characteristics from PTFE.

Polymer chemistry delves into the study and manipulation of polymer molecules. Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating structural units (monomers), which are covalently bonded to form long chains. The transformation from monomer to polymer is called polymerization, which can proceed via various mechanisms, such as addition polymerization or condensation polymerization.

In the case of PTFE, the polymerization is an example of an addition polymerization where the monomers join together without the loss of any small molecule such as water. This type of polymerization is initiated by a free radical starter, leading to a reaction that creates the long carbon-fluorine chains of PTFE. The chemical, physical, and thermal properties of a polymer are directly related to the structure of its monomers and the nature of the polymerization process, thereby giving each polymer its unique set of characteristics. Understanding these relationships within polymer chemistry is critical for the creation and application of new polymeric materials.