Polymers are very large compounds, assembled from smaller units, called monomers. For example, polymer 2, called poly(vinyl acetate), is made from vinyl acetate (1). Polymer 2 can be converted to polymer 4, called poly(vinyl alcohol), or PVA, via a process called hydrolysis (explored further in Chapter 20). Complete hydrolysis of 2 leads to 4, while incomplete hydrolysis of 2 leads to 3 in which the polymer chain still contains some residual acetate groups. Polymer 2 is one of the main ingredients in white glue, while polymer 3 is present in aqueous PVA glues. Describe how IR spectroscopy can be used to monitor the conversion of 3 to 4. Specifically, describe what you would look for to confirm complete hydrolysis of the acetate groups.15