# Poly(chloroethene), also known as PVC, is an addition polymer made from chloroethene monomers. State two structural features of chloroethene that allow it to undergo addition polymerisation, and for each feature, explain its role in the polymerisation process.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1) — 4.8 Synthetic polymers · Explain · 4 marks

> Chloroethene has the molecular formula C₂H₃Cl. It is the monomer used to produce poly(chloroethene), a widely used synthetic polymer.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Chloroethene contains a carbon–carbon double bond (C=C)
2. The double bond opens / breaks during polymerisation, allowing monomers to join together to form a long chain polymer
3. Chloroethene is a small molecule / monomer (with reactive functionality to repeat)
4. No other molecule / small molecule is produced during addition polymerisation, so all atoms of the monomer are incorporated into the polymer chain

## Key terms

- [addition polymerisation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/addition-polymerisation)
- [monomer](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/monomer)
- [polymer](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/polymer)

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