Question

Explain how does 1,3 butadiene polymerize by different routes?

Answer 1

Hint: We are asked to discuss how polybutadiene tends to polymerize in different routes. So first of all we will write about the forms of polymer and then discuss how the different types of 1,3-butadiene are formed.

Complete step by step answer:

Butadiene is an organic compound which consists of two carbon- carbon double bonds and is classified as an alkene in terms of functional group.
1,3- Butadiene is the organic compound which is a simple conjugated diene hydrocarbon. Polybutadiene is formed by mixing many monomers to make a longer polymer chain molecule. Basically, polybutadiene polymerizes in three steps i.e. cis, trans, vinyl. Indeed, it is known that cis and trans form are the most stable. When polymerization takes place and butadiene takes place, an unbranched polymer is formed. So, cis and trans forms emerge by connecting the polybutadiene molecules end to end which results in 1,4- polymerization.
The vinyl form of most of the molecule is formed in unstable form, hence the vinyl polybutadiene is typically formed in not more than a few percent. These three forms of polybutadiene differ in their branching and molecular weight.

Additional information:
The Trans double bonds formed during the reaction allow the chain to stay straight, allowing sections of polymer chains to align to form microcrystalline regions in the material. Whereas the cis double bond causes a bend in the polymer chain, preventing polymer chains rom aligning to form the crystalline regions, which results in larger regions of amorphous polymer.

Note:
-High cis polybutadiene has a high elasticity and is very popular
-High Trans polybutadiene has a plastic crystal.
-The vinyl content being in an unstable form is formed in a very few percent.