Reactivity R 3.3—Electron sharing reactions Free radical substit

What is a radical and why are they highly reactive?

• Radicals are non-reactive due to their full electron shells.

• A radical is a species with unpaired electrons, making it highly reactive.

• Radicals are always negatively charged ions.

• A radical is a stable molecule with paired electrons.

Provide an example of a radical that is an atom.

• Carbon dioxide (CO2)

• Hydroxyl radical (•OH)

• Chlorine molecule (Cl2)

• Sodium ion (Na+)

Provide an example of a radical that is a molecule.

• nitric oxide radical (•NO)

• sodium radical (•Na)

• carbon radical (•C)

• hydroxyl radical (•OH)

Provide an example of a radical that is a cation.

• Ethyl radical cation (C2H5+)

• Acetyl radical cation (C2H3O+)

• Phenyl radical cation (C6H5+)

• Methyl radical cation (CH3+)

Provide an example of a radical that is an anion.

• Hydroxide ion (OH-)

• Chlorate ion (ClO3-)

• Nitrate ion (NO3-)

• Sulfate ion (SO4^2-)

Explain the process of homolytic fission in halogens.

• Homolytic fission occurs only in solid halogen compounds, not in gaseous diatomic molecules.

• Homolytic fission in halogens involves the even breaking of a covalent bond in diatomic molecules, producing two free radicals.

• Homolytic fission in halogens results in the formation of ionic compounds.

• Homolytic fission involves the unequal breaking of a bond, creating one free radical and one stable molecule.

Write the equation for the homolytic fission of chlorine gas (Cl2).

• Cl2 → 2 Cl•

• Cl2 → Cl + Cl2•

• Cl2 → Cl2•

• Cl2 + Cl2 → 2 Cl2

What type of arrow is used to represent the movement of a single electron?

• Straight arrow

• Half-arrow (fishhook arrow)

• Double-headed arrow

• Curved arrow

Why do chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) release chlorine radicals but not fluorine radicals?

• CFCs release chlorine radicals because the C-Cl bond is weaker than the C-F bond.

• CFCs do not release any radicals at all.

• CFCs release chlorine radicals because they are more abundant than fluorine.

• CFCs release fluorine radicals due to the strength of the C-F bond.

What is the reverse process of homolytic fission called?

• Heterolytic fission

• Homolytic recombination

• Covalent bond formation

• Electrophilic addition