Radical reactions in organic chemistry involve the formation and reaction of radicals, which are highly reactive species with unpaired electrons. These reactions proceed via a mechanism that includes initiation, propagation, and termination steps.
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Atoms or molecules that contain at least one unpaired electron, making them highly reactive.
Chain propagation: A step in radical reactions where radicals react with stable molecules to produce new radicals, continuing the reaction sequence.
Chain initiation: The initial step in radical reactions where free radicals are generated, often by homolytic cleavage of a bond under the influence of heat or light