Question

${{F}_{2}}C=C{{F}_{2}}$ is a monomer of:
(A) teflon
(B) glyptal
(C) nylon-6
(D) buna-S

Answer 1

Monomers acts as the building blocks of polymers. The polymer which is asked in the question is also known as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is best known for its use in cook wares as nonstick coating.

Complete step by step answer:
-Let's start with the concept of monomers and polymers. A polymer consists of a large number of monomers or else we can say that monomers are those molecules which act as the basic units of polymers.
-Only those molecules which have more than two or more building sites can act as monomers. That is, all molecules do not act as monomers. These binding sites in monomers form covalent linkages with other monomer molecules to form the macromolecule or polymer.
-The presence of a double bond is a vital feature that allows the monomers to form the long polymer chains. These long chains give the polymer its unique properties.
-The given monomer is ${{F}_{2}}C=C{{F}_{2}}$,tetrafluoroethylene. Tetrafluoroethylene on polymerization gives Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or also known as Teflon. The polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene to form teflon is given below
$n{{F}_{2}}C=C{{F}_{2}}\xrightarrow[{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{2}},\Delta ]{Polymerization}-\left( {{F}_{2}}C-C{{F}_{2}} \right){{-}_{n}}$

-The polymerization is usually conducted as an emulsion in water, since Polytetrafluoroethylene is poorly soluble in almost all solvents and this process gives a suspension of polymer particles.
- Teflon is a white solid at room temperature and is a thermoplastic polymer. The chemical properties of teflon arises from the aggregate effect of carbon-fluorine bonds.
- From the above discussions it's clear that the ${{F}_{2}}C=C{{F}_{2}}$ is a monomer of teflon.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: There might be confusion among the given options. Keep in mind that the monomers of glyptal polymer are ethylene glycol and phthalic acid, the monomer of nylon-6 is caprolactam and the monomers of buna-S are butadiene and styrene. Also, it should be noted that due to the strong carbon-fluorine bonds, teflon is inert which makes it unreactive with other materials and hence its use in non-stick items.