The production of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) involves a sequence of reactions that starts with ethylene and chlorine. The reactions can be outlined as follows:
1. Chlorination of Ethylene:
The first step involves the reaction of ethylene (\( \text{C}_2\text{H}_4 \)) with chlorine (\( \text{Cl}_2 \)) to form 1,2-dichloroethane (\( \text{C}_2\text{H}_4\text{Cl}_2 \)):
\[
\text{C}_2\text{H}_4 + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_4\text{Cl}_2
\]
2. Production of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM):
The 1,2-dichloroethane undergoes pyrolysis (cracking) at high temperatures to produce vinyl chloride monomer (VCM, \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_3\text{Cl} \)):
\[
\text{C}_2\text{H}_4\text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_3\text{Cl} + \text{HCl}
\]
3. Polymerization to form PVC:
The vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) undergoes a free radical polymerization reaction, where the vinyl groups polymerize to form long chains of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC):
\[
\text{n} \, \text{C}_2\text{H}_3\text{Cl} \xrightarrow{\text{Initiator}} \left[\text{C}_2\text{H}_3\text{Cl}\right]_n \, \text{(PVC)}
\]
The polymerization results in the formation of PVC, a widely used plastic in various industries, from pipes to flooring materials.