Question

Polyesters containing double bonds are often crosslinked by reacting the polymer with styrene. This type of reaction is common in the manufacture of fiberglass. Draw the structure of the copolymer of

1. ${\mathbf{\text{HO - CH}}}_{\mathbf{\text{2}}}{\mathbf{\text{CH}}}_{\mathbf{\text{2}}}\mathbf{\text{- OH}}$ and${\mathbf{\text{HO}}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{\text{C - CH = CH - CO}}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{\text{H}}$
2. Draw the structure of the crosslinked polymer (after the polyester has been reacted with styrene).

Short answer

The structures are as follows

(a)

(b)

Step-by-step solution

Copolymer

Copolymers are generally made of using two or more monomers. These types of polymers are extensively used in different industries. The copolymer obtained from ${\text{HO - CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}\text{- OH}$ and ${\text{HO}}_2{\text{C - CH = CH - CO}}_2\text{H}$ is shown below

Crosslinked polymer

Crosslinked polymers consist of covalent bonds between polymer molecules. Here the structure obtained after the reaction in between polyester and styrene is shown below