Question

The given reactant is ethylene carbonate (1,3-dioxolan-2-one). The symbol "n" above the arrow typically indicates a polymerization reaction. Ethylene carbonate undergoes ring-opening polymerization, often with decarboxylation, to yield poly(ethylene oxide) and carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

Poly(ethylene oxide) and Carbon Dioxide

Answer 2

Ethylene carbonate is a cyclic carbonate. When subjected to polymerization conditions (often with a catalyst, not shown but implied by the 'n'), the ring opens. For ethylene carbonate, this polymerization commonly proceeds via decarboxylation, meaning the carbonyl group (C=O) is eliminated as carbon dioxide ($\ce{CO2}$), and the remaining $\ce{-CH2-CH2-O-}$ units link together to form poly(ethylene oxide).

Reaction:

n \ce{O=C1OCCO1} \xrightarrow{\text{Polymerization}} \ce{(-CH2-CH2-O-)_n} + n \ce{CO2}

Reactant: Ethylene Carbonate

Product: Poly(ethylene oxide) and Carbon Dioxide

(Repeating unit of Poly(ethylene oxide))