Question

Rank the following compounds in order of increasing ability to undergo anionic chain-growth polymerization.

Short answer

Answer

The rate of anionic polymerization depends on the ability of the substituents on the alkene to stabilize an intermediate carbanion: the better a substituent stabilizes a carbanion, the faster anionic polymerization occurs.

The order is:

Step-by-step solution

Anionic polymerization

During the anionic polymerization, the intermediate formed is carbanion. The groups that stabilize the carbanion are electron-withdrawing groups or –M (mesomeric effect) groups.

Explanation

The more number of –I groups attached to vinyl groups, the more it favors the vinyl group towards anionic polymerization.

The order of the given monomers towards anionic polymerization is as shown below:

Order of anionic polymerization