Write the free radical mechanism for the polymerisation of ethene.
In the free radical mechanism, there are three main steps-
1. Chain Initiation- the polymerization of ethene to polythene consists of heating or exposing to light a mixture of ethene with a small amount of benzoyl peroxide initiator. Generating new and larger free radicals.
2. Chain Propagation Step- As the radical reacts with another molecule of ethene. So, another bigger-sized radical is formed. The repetition of this step is chain propagation.
3. Chain Termination step- At some time the product radical reacts with another radical to form the polymerized product and this step is called the chain terminating step.
Hence, the radical mechanism for the polymerization leads to the formation of ethene.