Student Chemistry FAQ: What Is Heterolytic Fission?

What Is Heterolytic Fission?

Heterolytic fission is the breaking of a covalent bond in which both bonding electrons remain with one of the two fragments formed. This produces ions and is assessed at both SL and HL in Reactivity 3.4, Electron-pair sharing reactions.

How Heterolytic Fission Works

A covalent bond contains a shared pair of electrons. During heterolytic fission, that pair is transferred entirely to one atom rather than being divided equally.

For example, consider the breaking of the carbontobromine bond in bromoethane:

$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{Br} \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2^{+} + \text{Br}^{-}$

What Is Heterolytic Fission?

How Heterolytic Fission Works

A covalent bond contains a shared pair of electrons. During heterolytic fission, that pair is transferred entirely to one atom rather than being divided equally.

For example, consider the breaking of the carbontobromine bond in bromoethane:

$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{Br} \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2^{+} + \text{Br}^{-}$

Type of bond fission	Distribution of bonding electrons	Products formed
Heterolytic fission	Both electrons go to one fragment	Ions
Homolytic fission	Each fragment receives one electron	Radicals

What Is Heterolytic Fission?

How Heterolytic Fission Works

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What Is Heterolytic Fission?

How Heterolytic Fission Works

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