Dextron, a biodegradable polymer used for bio-absorbable post-operative sutures, is a copolymer synt — Polymers Chemistry Question
Question
Dextron, a biodegradable polymer used for bio-absorbable post-operative sutures, is a copolymer synthesized from two distinct hydroxy acids. What is the total combined number of carbon atoms present in exactly one molecule of each of these two unreacted starting monomers?
Answer: 5
💡 Solution & Explanation
The monomers of Dextron are lactic acid (2-hydroxypropanoic acid), which has 3 carbon atoms, and glycolic acid (2-hydroxyethanoic acid), which has 2 carbon atoms. Total carbon atoms = $3 + 2 = 5$.
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