MCQ Detailed View

Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) is a synthetic polymer widely used in adhesives, paints, coatings, and emulsions. It is produced through the polymerization of vinyl acetate monomers (CH₂=CHOCOCH₃). In this process, many molecules of vinyl acetate join together through an addition polymerization reaction, forming long polymer chains.

Vinyl acetate is an organic compound containing a vinyl group (CH₂=CH–) attached to an acetate group (–OCOCH₃). Under the influence of catalysts, such as free radical initiators, its double bond opens up, allowing multiple molecules to link together in a chain reaction. The resulting polymer, polyvinyl acetate, has the repeating unit:
–CH2–CH(OCOCH3)––CH₂–CH(OCOCH₃)––CH2–CH(OCOCH3)–ₙ

This polymer is commonly found in white glues, wood adhesives, paper coatings, paints, and textiles, thanks to its good film-forming ability, flexibility, and adhesion properties.

Other options listed are not correct:

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  Vinyl chloride: Produces polyvinyl chloride (PVC), used in pipes and plastic materials.

  
  


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  Formaldehyde: Produces phenol-formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde resins, not PVA.

  
  


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  Methyl methacrylate: Produces polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), commonly known as acrylic glass or Plexiglass.

  
  

Polyvinyl acetate is an important thermoplastic polymer and can be hydrolyzed to form polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), which has additional applications. Its polymerization reaction is an example of how simple alkenes and their derivatives can form useful, large molecules.

Understanding the relationship between monomers and their resulting polymers is a key concept in organic chemistry and polymer science, as it explains how specific structural units give rise to different properties and applications of synthetic materials.