Homolytic and Heterolytic Fission

Question 1

what is the process of bond breaking is known as?

Answer 1

bond fission

Question 2

what are the two types of bond fission?

Answer 2

homolytic and heterolytic

Question 3

what happens in homolytic fission?

Answer 3

• results in the formation of two neutral radicals
• occurs when each atom retains one electron from the σ covalent bond and the bond breaks evenly
• normally occurs when non-polar covalent bonds are broken

Question 4

reactions involving homolytic fission tend to result in the formation of what?

Answer 4

very complex mixtures of products, making them unsuitable for organic synthesis.

Question 5

what happens in heterolytic fission?

Answer 5

• results in the formation of two oppositely charged ions
• occurs when one atom retains both electrons from the σ covalent bond and the bond breaks unevenly
• normally occurs when polar covalent bonds are broken

Question 6

reactions involving heterolytic fission tend to result in what?

Answer 6

far fewer products than reactions involving homolytic fission, and so are better suited for organic synthesis.