Polystyrene (polyethenylbenzene) is a familiar polymer used in the manufacture of foam cups and packing beads. One could, in principle, synthesize polystyrene by cationic polymerization with acid. However, this approach is unsuccessful because of the formation of dimer A. 

Split your group into two teams. The first should formulate a mechanism for the cationic polymerization of styrene using acid; the second should do so for the formation of A. Reconvene and compare your notes. At which stage is the normal polymerization sequence diverted to generate A? 

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CH3 H,SO, H,O Styrene A