METHYLENE RADICAL Meaning and
Definition
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The methylene radical is a chemical entity that consists of a single carbon atom (C) bonded to two hydrogen atoms (H) and carrying an unpaired electron. It is denoted by the symbol •CH2, where the dot represents the unpaired electron, also known as a free radical.
As a highly reactive species, methylene radicals participate in a variety of chemical reactions, often serving as intermediates in complex organic reactions. Due to the presence of the unpaired electron, methylene radicals are typically short-lived and exhibit high reactivity towards other molecules. They can undergo addition reactions, hydrogen abstraction reactions, or participate in radical chain reactions.
Methylene radicals are commonly generated through the homolysis (breaking) of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds in organic compounds under the influence of various energy sources such as heat, light, or the application of a radical initiator. Once formed, the methylene radical can rapidly react with nearby molecules, either by abstracting a hydrogen atom and forming a new bond, or by combining with another radical to form a new stable molecule.
Due to their versatile nature, methylene radicals find broad applications in fields such as organic synthesis, polymerization reactions, combustion processes, and atmospheric chemistry. Their role in chemical reactions and their reactivity make them valuable intermediates for the production of many important compounds in industry, medicine, and various scientific research endeavors.
Common Misspellings for METHYLENE RADICAL
- nethylene radical
- kethylene radical
- jethylene radical
- mwthylene radical
- msthylene radical
- mdthylene radical
- mrthylene radical
- m4thylene radical
- m3thylene radical
- merhylene radical
- mefhylene radical
- meghylene radical
- meyhylene radical
- me6hylene radical
- me5hylene radical
- metgylene radical
- metbylene radical
- metnylene radical
- metjylene radical
Etymology of METHYLENE RADICAL
The term "methylene radical" is derived from the combined etymology of two different words.
1. Methylene: The word "methylene" originates from the Greek word "methy" meaning "wine", which is derived from "methe" meaning "intoxication". The term was coined by the French chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas in 1834. Dumas used the term to describe a substance he derived from red wine, which turned out to be a simple gas known today as "methane". Over time, the term "methylene" came to represent a divalent radical consisting of a carbon atom attached to two hydrogen atoms (-CH2-), which is the core component of methane.
2. Radical: The term "radical" originates from the Latin word "radix" meaning "root".
Similar spelling words for METHYLENE RADICAL
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