Question: Polyethylene glycol, or Carbowax [1 - O - CH2 - CH2 -)n] is widely used as a binder, thickening agent, and packaging additive for foods.

Polyethylene glycol, or Carbowax® [1 - O - CH2 - CH2 -)n] is widely used as a binder, thickening agent, and packaging additive for foods.
(a) What type of polymer is polyethylene glycol? (We have not seen this type of polymer before.)
(b) The systematic name for polyethylene glycol is poly (ethylene oxide). What monomer would you use to make polyethylene glycol?
(c) What conditions (free-radical initiator, acid catalyst, basic catalyst, etc.) would you consider using in this polymerization?
(d) Propose a polymerization mechanism as far as the tetramer.

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