15.10 Write the free radical mechanism for the polymerisation of ethene.
In free radical mechanism, there are three main steps-
1. Chain Initiation- the polymerisation 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 polymerised product and this step is called the chain terminating step.