Question detail
What is the repeat unit of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Alkenes
Question
- A. C2H4Cl2
- B. C2H3Cl
- C. C2H4
- D. C3H6
Answer
C2H3Cl
Explanation
The repeat unit of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is derived from the monomer vinyl chloride (C2H3Cl). During polymerization, the C=C bond in vinyl chloride opens up, forming long chains of PVC.
Common mistake
Identifying Monomers from Repeat Units
Students often confuse the repeat unit of an addition polymer with the monomer it originated from, leading to incorrect identification.
To correctly identify the monomer from a repeat unit, first recognize the structure of the repeat unit, then determine the original alkene by removing the bonds that connect the repeat units and adjusting for any hydrogen atoms lost during polymerization. For example, if the repeat unit is -CH2-CH2-, the corresponding monomer is ethene (C2H4).
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