The generally accepted mechanism for the formation of short branching in low-density polyethylene (L — Polymers Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In the free-radical polymerization of ethene at high pressures to form LDPE, the growing polymer chain can undergo an intramolecular chain transfer known as "backbiting." The radical at the end of the chain abstracts a hydrogen atom from a methylene unit in the same chain, moving the radical center and causing a branch to grow from that point.