Concept:Bakelite is the trade name for one of the earliest synthetic plastics, a phenol-formaldehyde resin formed via step-growth condensation polymerization.
Formula:$$ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{HCHO} \xrightarrow{\text{OH}^- / \text{H}^+} \text{Polymer (Bakelite)} $$
Solution:- The necessary monomers to form the heavily cross-linked 3D structure of Bakelite are phenol and formaldehyde (methanal).
- They initially react to form ortho- and para-hydroxymethylphenols, which subsequently condense (eliminating water) to form complex methylene bridges.
Why other options are incorrect:Acetaldehyde, benzene, and acetone are not the constituent monomers for standard Bakelite resin. Acetone and phenol form Bisphenol A (BPA), not Bakelite.
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