Answer: No termination or transfer reactions, allowing controlled molecular weight.
- A No termination or transfer reactions, allowing controlled molecular weight
- B Very fast termination of every growing chain end overall in most cases
- C A broad, uncontrolled polydispersity across the product under typical conditions
- D Chain lengths that vary randomly with little control over distribution
Correct answer: A. No termination or transfer reactions, allowing controlled molecular weight
Explanation: In living polymerisation, chains grow without termination; it gives narrow molecular weight distributions and allows block copolymer synthesis.
Addition polymerisation simply links monomers containing a double bond with nothing left over, while condensation polymerisation joins two different monomers through a reaction (often forming an ester or amide bond) that releases a small molecule like water at each step.
Concept context
Large molecules made of repeating monomer units. Covers addition and condensation polymerisation, natural and synthetic polymers (nylon, PVC, Bakelite, natural rubber), and their real-world industrial applications.