Radicals in Organic Chemistry

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the formation, stability, and reactions of radicals in organic chemistry.

Radicals are molecular entities with unpaired electrons and have __ valence electrons.

Seven valence electrons.

Radicals can be formed by the __ of weak bonds.

Homolysis.

The weak O−O bond in organic peroxides can be __ by heating.

Homolysed.

Fish-hook mechanisms in radical reactions involve the movement of single electrons, represented by __ curly arrows.

Single-headed.

Azo compounds such as AIBN are useful __ initiators for radical formation.

Radical.

Radical reactions with spin-paired molecules can involve abstraction, substitution, and __.

Addition.

Radical geometry depends on the hybridisation of the atom with the __ electron.

Unpaired.

Dative stabilisation raises the SOMO energy but stabilises the __ pair.

Lone.

Bond dissociation energy (BDE) provides a measure of the stability of carbon-based __.

Radicals.

In radical halogenation, the abstraction of H by Cl• is __, resulting in early transition states.

Exergonic.

In radical bromination, the abstraction of H by Br• is __, leading to late transition states.

Endergonic.

Allylic bromides can be prepared selectively by radical bromination of alkenes with __.

N-bromosuccinimide (NBS).

Bu3SnH is commonly used in __ reactions.

Dehalogenation.

Radicals are molecular entities with unpaired electrons and have __ valence electrons.

Seven valence electrons.

Radicals can be formed by the __ of weak bonds.

Homolysis.

The weak O−O bond in organic peroxides can be __ by heating.

Homolysed.

Fish-hook mechanisms in radical reactions involve the movement of single electrons, represented by __ curly arrows.

Single-headed.

Azo compounds such as AIBN are useful __ initiators for radical formation.

Radical.

Radical reactions with spin-paired molecules can involve abstraction, substitution, and __.

Addition.

Radical geometry depends on the hybridisation of the atom with the __ electron.

Unpaired.

Dative stabilisation raises the SOMO energy but stabilises the __ pair.

Lone.

Bond dissociation energy (BDE) provides a measure of the stability of carbon-based __.

Radicals.

In radical halogenation, the abstraction of H by Cl• is __, resulting in early transition states.

Exergonic.

In radical bromination, the abstraction of H by Br• is __, leading to late transition states.

Endergonic.

Allylic bromides can be prepared selectively by radical bromination of alkenes with __.

N-bromosuccinimide (NBS).

Bu3SnH is commonly used in __ reactions.

Dehalogenation.

Radical chain reactions typically involve three main stages: initiation, __*, and termination.

propagation.

The relative stability of alkyl radicals increases in the order: methyl < primary < __* < tertiary.

secondary.

Allylic and benzylic radicals are often more stable than simple alkyl radicals due to __*.

resonance stabilization.