Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
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.
AP course connection
Topic 6.2: 6.2 How Organic Reactions Occur: Mechanisms
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