Write the mechanism of free radical polymerisation of the following reaction:

Initiator: AIBN

Monomer: methyl methacrylate

The mechanism should include:
1. Initiation of primary radical and activated monomer
2. Propagation - head-to-tail addition
3. Termination-combination and disproportination

Question

Write the mechanism of free radical polymerisation of the following reaction:

Initiator: AIBN

Monomer: methyl methacrylate

The mechanism should include:
1. Initiation of primary radical and activated monomer
2. Propagation - head-to-tail addition
3. Termination-combination and disproportination

Accepted Answer

∻Solution∻ ‖ 1 ⋮ **Initiation**: The initiation step involves the thermal decomposition of AIBN to form two cyanopropyl radicals. AIBN decomposes into two radicals when heated, each radical having the structure $\cdot$C(CH$_3$)$_2$CN. These radicals are very reactive and can initiate the polymerization process by reacting with a monomer molecule. ‖ ‖ 2 ⋮ **Propagation**: During propagation, the radical adds to the double bond of a methyl methacrylate monomer, forming a new radical at the end of the growing polymer chain. This step is repeated as the radical at the end of the chain reacts with additional monomer molecules, adding them to the growing chain in a head-to-tail fashion. The general form of the propagation step can be represented as $P_n\cdot + M \rightarrow P_{n+1}\cdot$, where $P_n\cdot$ is the growing polymer chain with $n$ monomer units and $M$ is a monomer molecule. ‖ ‖ 3 ⋮ **Termination**: Termination can occur by combination, where two growing radical chains join together to form a single, non-radical polymer, or by disproportionation, where hydrogen is transferred from one radical to another, creating a saturated end on one polymer chain and a double bond at the end of the other. ‖ ∻Answer∻ ⚹ The mechanism of free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by AIBN includes initiation, propagation, and termination steps. ⚹ ∻Key Concept∻ ⚹ Free radical polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. ⚹ ∻Explanation∻ ⚹ Initiation starts with the formation of radicals from the initiator, propagation involves the addition of monomers to the growing chain, and termination ends the reaction by combining or disproportionating the active chain ends. ⚹◊What are the specific conditions required for the initiation of free radical polymerization using AIBN as the initiator?⍭ Generate me a similar question◊

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