Question

Draw a short segment of each polymer:

(a) Isotactic poly(vinyl chloride);

(b) Syndiotactic polyacrylonitrile;

(c) Atactic polystyrene.

Short answer

Answer

(a.)

(b.)

(c.)

Step-by-step solution

Polymer

Polymers are large molecules created from monomer units. Polymer is derived from two Greek words – “poly” which means many, and “meros” which means many. Isotactic, syndiotactic, and atactic polymers are classified on basis of geometry of the polymer.

Isotactic

(a) An isotactic polymer has all Z groups on the same side of the carbon backbone.

Structure of isotactic poly(vinyl chloride)

Syndiotactic

(b)A syndiotactic polymer has the Z groups alternating from one side of the carbon chain to the other.

Structure of syndiotactic polyacrylonitrile

Atactic

(c) An atactic polymer has the Z groups oriented randomly along the polymer chain.

Structure of atactic polystyrene