Question

Teflon is prepared by the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. Write the equation that describes the polymerization using Lewis symbols. a) ⟨F=C=F⟩ ⟶ ⟨F−C−F⟩ b) ⟨F−C−F⟩ ⟶ ⟨F−C−F c) ⟨F:⟩+⟨C:⟩⟶⟨F−C−F⟩ d) ⟨F⟩+⟨C₂​⟩⟶⟨F−C−F⟩

Answer 1

Teflon is synthesized from the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene, but none of the given options accurately represent the reaction using Lewis symbols. The correct Lewis structure representation of this polymerization is F2C=CF2 becoming (–CF2–CF2–)n.

Step-by-step explanation:

Teflon, also known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is prepared by the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). During this process, the double bonds of TFE molecules react to form a long chain, where each TFE unit adds to the growing polymer chain.

The Lewis structure of tetrafluoroethylene is F2C=CF2, while the polymer form can be represented as (–CF2–CF2–)n.

Therefore, the equation that describes this polymerization using Lewis symbols is none of the options provided (a, b, c, or d) precisely. Instead, the polymerization reaction for TFE to form Teflon can be represented by the equation:

F2C=CF2 → (–CF2–CF2–)n