Free Radical Substitution

Question 1

What is Free Radical Substitution?

Answer 1

Between Alkanes and Halogens
Halogen Bond broken, forming two free radicals-one electron goes to each halogen atom
Free radical has unpaired electron
Will react with alkane to become stable
Creates Methyl Free Radical
Will react with Halogen to create Haloalkane and Halogen Free Radical
So continuous cycle

Question 2

What are the three steps of Free Radical Substitution?

Answer 2

Initiation
Propagation
Termination

Question 3

What are the Conditions needed for Initiation of Free Radical Substitution?

Answer 3

UV Light

Question 4

How does Termination take place?

Answer 4

When two Free Radicals react together
e.g. Two Halogen Free Radicals
Two Methyl Free Radicals
A Halogen and Methyl Free Radical