12. Radicals

Question 1

what makes radicals in terms of e-s

Answer 1

one or more unpaired e-

Question 2

how reactive are radicals

Answer 2

very reactive with other substances

Question 3

what are 2 examples of radicals

Answer 3

hydroxyls H-O (where O has 3 lone e- pairs)

super oxides O2-

Question 4

what in alkenes are susceptible to radical attack

what do they form

Answer 4

H next to alkene increase susceptibility to attack and form resonance stabilised radicals

Question 5

what do enzymes and antioxidants do

Answer 5

protect molecules from oxidative stress by reacting with radicals thus more stable radicals

Question 6

what are the 3 reaction stages of radicals

Answer 6

initiation

propagation

termination

Question 7

what happens in initiation of radicals

what reagents or reactants are required

Answer 7

homolytic bond cleavage of weak bond leads to production of 2 radicals

via light or heat

Question 8

what bonds do initiation of radicals tend to be

Answer 8

non polar covalent bonds

Question 9

what happens in propagation of radicals

Answer 9

free radical reacts with molecule with no unpaired e- forming new radical and covalent bond

this is a repeating cycle

Question 10

what happens in termination of radicals

Answer 10

radicals combine with 2nd radical forming species with no unpaired e-