Question

When a single alkene monomer, such as ethylene, is polymerized, the product is a homopolymer. If a mixture of two alkene monomers is polymerized, however, a copolymer often results. The following structure represents a segment of a copolymer called Saran. What two monomers were copolymerized to make Saran?

Short answer

Answer

Vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride are two co-polymers which make saran.

Step-by-step solution

Polymerization

Polymerization is the process of formation of chain-like or network molecules, called polymers from relatively small molecules, called monomers.

Representative segment of Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone):

Representative segment of a polymer means repetitive units from which the polymer is made up of. Here the vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride are two co-polymers which make saran.

Co-polymers make saran