Question

The commercial name of polyacrylonitrile is:
A) Dacron
B) Orlon (acrilan)
C) PVC
D) Bakelite

Answer 1

Hint: Polyacrylonitrile is a polymer. A molecule that can react with other molecules to form very large molecules having high molecular weights is known as a monomer. The high molecular weight molecules formed are known as polymers. The monomer is a repeating unit of polymer.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We know that a molecule that can react with other molecules to form very large molecules having high molecular weights is known as a monomer. The high molecular weight molecules formed are known as polymers. The monomer is a repeating unit of polymer.

We know that polyacrylonitrile is a polymer. The monomer of polyacrylonitrile is acrylonitrile. Polyacrylonitrile is abbreviated as PAN. The chemical formula of polyacrylonitrile is ${\left( {{{\text{C}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{N}}} \right)_{\text{n}}}$.
Polyacrylonitrile is prepared by the addition polymerisation of acrylonitrile in the presence of peroxide. Peroxide acts as a catalyst during this polymerisation reaction.

Polyacrylonitrile is also known as polyvinyl cyanide and Creslan 61. The commercial name of polyacrylonitrile is orlon (acrilan).Thus, the commercial name of polyacrylonitrile is orlon (acrilan).

Thus, the correct option is (B) orlon (acrilan).

Additional Information:
Dacron is the commercial name of terylene which is synthesized from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. PVC is poly vinyl chloride which is one of the most widely used polymers. Bakelite is polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride which is synthesized by the condensation reaction of phenol and formaldehyde.

Note: Polyacrylonitrile is a thermoplastic but it does not melt under normal conditions. Polyacrylonitrile degrades before melting. Polyacrylonitrile is used in making civil and military aircrafts, pressure vessels, fishing rods, tennis rackets, bicycle frames, etc.