A certain synthetic elastomer is manufactured from a branched hydrocarbon monomer that contains 87.5%87.5\%87.5% carbon by mass. The empirical formula of this monomer is the same as its molecular formula.
Deduce the molecular formula of this monomer and suggest a possible structure.
The repeating unit for an addition polymer often found in synthetic rubber blends is shown below:
−HCl−∣∣−C−C−∣∣HCH=CH2\begin{array}{cc} \phantom{-}\text{H} & \text{Cl}\phantom{-} \\ | & | \\ -\text{C} & -\text{C}- \\ | & | \\ \text{H} & \text{CH}=\text{CH}_2 \end{array}−H∣−C∣HCl−∣−C−∣CH=CH2Draw the skeletal formula of the monomer used to make this polymer and give its IUPAC name.
A second polymer in the elastomer mixture has a repeating unit with the structure shown below:
−CH2CH2−\ / C=C/ \ ClH\begin{array}{ccccc} -\text{CH}_2 & & & & \text{CH}_2- \\ & \backslash\!\! & & /\!\! & \\ & & \text{C}=\text{C} & & \\ & /\!\! & & \backslash\!\! & \\ & \text{Cl} & & \text{H} & \end{array}−CH2\/ClC=C/\HCH2−The third polymer in the mixture is a stereoisomer of this polymer.
Synthetic rubbers and elastomers are highly resistant to degradation. Explain why these addition polymers do not biodegrade.
