Draw the structure of the monomer used to make poly(phenylethene). - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question B - 2020

The monomer for poly(phenylethene) is styrene, which has the chemical structure represented as follows:

1. Begin with the benzene ring structure:
   • A hexagonal ring with alternating double bonds, with one hydrogen atom replaced by a vinyl group.
2. The side chain (vinyl group) is composed of:
   • A -CH=CH2 group, connected to the benzene ring.

Thus, the complete structure can be represented as:

     H   H
      \\ /
       C
      / \
   C-C
   ||
   C
   ||
   C
   ||
   C - H
   /
  H

In summary, the structure of the monomer can be defined as C6H5-CH=CH2, which corresponds to styrene.