What type of reaction is involved in the making of Polypropylene?
Would it be a synthesis reaction?
The final step is a polymerization reaction. Before that, the propylene (C3H6) is made in a cracking reaction from heavier hydrocarbons.
Thank you. :)
Yes, the making of Polypropylene involves a synthesis reaction. However, it is important to note that the process of making Polypropylene involves multiple reactions.
The first step is the cracking reaction, where heavier hydrocarbons are broken down to produce propylene (C3H6). This reaction is categorized as a thermal decomposition reaction.
Once propylene is obtained, the next step is the polymerization reaction. This is a synthesis reaction where small molecules of propylene, known as monomers, are chemically bonded together to form a long chain polymer. This reaction is typically catalyzed by a Ziegler-Natta catalyst or a metallocene catalyst.
Therefore, the overall process of making Polypropylene involves a combination of thermal decomposition (cracking) and synthesis (polymerization) reactions.