Addition Polymerisation The joining of two or more simple molecules or monomers, to form a new compound, a polymer which has the same empirical formula. Mechanism of the Polymerisation of Ethene Thousands of ethene molecules join up to form a type of poly(ethene) known as low density polythene. [CH2=CH2]n [ CH2-CH2 ]n number of joining molecules can vary from 200-2000 fig 1 The mechanism is known as a free radical reaction as it …showed first 75 words of 1143 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1143 total…monomers’ methyl groups along the chain(5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography** References (1) http://www.chemguide.co.uk/mechanisms/freerad/polym.html (2)Chemistry (Salters), Open Book Paper, pg 4 Sources Salters Advanced Chemistry, Chemical Ideas, First Edition Chemistry (Salters) Open Book Paper Advanced Chemistry, Phillip Matthews, Cambridge Press Organometallic Polymers, Ronald Archer, Wiley Introduction to Polymers, R Young, Cambridge Press http://www.psrc.usm.edu/macrog/pe.htm http://www.psrc.usm.edu/macrog/ziegler.htm www.chemguide.co.uk