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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3pl177

During propagation in the free radical polymerisation of $CH X_{2} = CH - Cl$ , the growing radical attacks mainly the $CH X_{2}$ carbon of the monomer because

Athe $CH X_{2}$ end is the only carbon with a $π$ electron
Bthis places the new radical on the carbon bearing the substituent, where it is stabilised and less hindered to form
Cattack at the other carbon would break the $C - Cl$ bond
Dthe $CH X_{2}$ carbon carries a partial positive charge that attracts the radical

Answer: B

Attack at

CH X_{2}

gives a radical on the carbon bearing

Cl

, stabilised by the substituent, and the bulky group is not hindered during the addition. This head-to-tail addition gives the regular

- [CH X_{2} - CH (Cl)] X_{n} X^{-}

chain. The other options are false statements about the mechanism.

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