RADICAL SUBSTITUTION Meaning and
Definition
-
Radical substitution is a chemical reaction in which an atom or a group of atoms, known as a radical, replaces another atom or group of atoms in a molecular compound. This type of reaction occurs when a radical combines with a molecular compound, typically an organic compound, and replaces a hydrogen atom or multiple hydrogen atoms.
Radicals are highly reactive species that contain unpaired electrons. They are formed through the breaking of covalent bonds, resulting in the formation of two species with unpaired electrons. Radicals are very reactive due to their unpaired electrons, leading them to engage in chemical reactions to stabilize themselves by pairing these electrons.
In radical substitution reactions, a radical attacks a target molecule and replaces one or more atoms by forming new covalent bonds. The radical is typically generated by the homolytic fission of a covalent bond, splitting the bond into two radicals. The new bond formation occurs between the radical and the target molecule, resulting in the substitution of atoms.
Radical substitutions are commonly observed in areas such as organic chemistry and polymer chemistry. They can lead to the synthesis of various compounds and assist in the modification of molecular structures. Examples of radical substitution reactions include halogenation, where a halogen radical replaces a hydrogen atom in an organic compound, and radical polymerization, where monomer units combine through radical substitution reactions to form polymers.
Etymology of RADICAL SUBSTITUTION
The word "radical" in the context of chemistry and organic reactions refers to a type of reactive intermediate species that contains one or more unpaired electrons.
The term "substitution" in chemistry denotes a reaction where an atom or a group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group of atoms.
Therefore, "radical substitution" specifically describes a type of chemical reaction in which a radical species replaces another atom or group of atoms in a molecule.
The etymology of the individual words is as follows:
- "Radical" comes from the Latin word "radix" meaning "root" or "origin". It was first used in the chemical sense in the late 17th century, describing a substance that cannot be further divided or analyzed.
- "Substitution" comes from the Latin word "substitutio", which means "putting in the place of".
