Radicals: Definition, Representation, and Applications
What Are Radicals?
Definition
Radical
A radical is an atom, molecule, cation, or anion that contains an unpaired electron. This unpaired electron makes radicals highly reactive as they seek to pair up their lone electron to achieve a more stable configuration.
Unlike ions, which are charged, radicals are electrically neutral but still highly unstable due to this unpaired electron.Example
Examples of Radicals:
- Chlorine radical (⋅Cl): A chlorine atom with an unpaired electron.
- Methyl radical (⋅CH₃): A methane molecule missing one hydrogen atom, leaving the carbon atom with an unpaired electron.
- Hydroxyl radical (⋅OH): A hydroxyl group with an unpaired electron on the oxygen atom.
Formation of Radicals: Homolytic Fission (will be covered in more detail in R3.3.2)
- Radicals are commonly formed through homolytic fission, a process in which a covalent bond between two atoms breaks symmetrically, with each atom retaining one of the shared electrons.
- This process requires energy, which can be supplied by ultraviolet (UV) light or heat.
