Edexcel A-Level Chemistry 9CH0
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Bonding and Structure
Inorganic Chemistry and the Periodic Table
Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
Organic Chemistry I
Modern Analytical Techniques I
Energetics I
Kinetics I
Equilibrium I
Acid-Base Equilibria
Energetics II
Redox II
Transition Metals
Kinetics II
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry III
Organic Chemistry I
Radical substitution
- 3 things to know
- Papers 2 and 3
Overview
Radicals and homolytic fission, alkanes reacting with oxygen and with halogens, the initiation, two propagation steps and termination of radical substitution, and why further substitution gives a mixture of products.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Define the term radical.
Describe what happens during the initiation step of radical substitution.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define the term radical.
Model answer
A radical carries one electron that is not paired.
- 2
How is a radical represented in reaction mechanisms?
Model answer
By a single dot next to the atom with the unpaired electron.
- 3
What is homolytic fission?
Model answer
Homolytic fission is the breaking of a covalent bond where each bonded atom receives one electron from the shared pair, forming two radicals.
- 4
What type of reaction do alkanes undergo with oxygen?
Model answer
Combustion reactions.
- 5
By what mechanism do alkanes react with halogens?
Model answer
Radical substitution.
- 6
Describe what happens during the initiation step of radical substitution.
Model answer
The halogen molecule undergoes homolytic fission caused by UV light, forming two halogen radicals.
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