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In chemistry, a radical, also known as a free radical, is an atom, molecule, or ion that has at least one unpaired valence electron. [1] [2] With some exceptions, these unpaired electrons make radicals highly chemically reactive. Many radicals spontaneously dimerize. Most organic radicals have short lifetimes.
The common mechanism is a free radical chain reaction, where the addition of oxygen gives rise to hydroperoxides and their associated peroxy radicals (ROO•). [5] Typically, an induction period is seen at the start where there is little activity; this is followed by a gradually accelerating take-up of oxygen, giving an autocatalytic reaction ...
Hydroxyl radicals are highly reactive and consequently short-lived; however, they form an important part of radical chemistry. Most notably hydroxyl radicals are produced from the decomposition of hydroperoxides (ROOH) or, in atmospheric chemistry, by the reaction of excited atomic oxygen with water.
The fact that oxygen changes the radiation chemistry might be one reason why oxygenated tissues are more sensitive to irradiation than the deoxygenated tissue at the center of a tumor. The free radicals, such as the hydroxyl radical, chemically modify biomolecules such as DNA, leading to damage such as breaks in the DNA strands. Some substances ...
Chain propagation: A radical reacts with a non-radical to produce a new radical species; Chain termination: Two radicals react with each other to create a non-radical species; In a free-radical addition, there are two chain propagation steps. In one, the adding radical attaches to a multiply-bonded precursor to give a radical with lesser bond ...
The reactive centre generated by initiation is usually a radical, but can also be cations or anions. [2] Once the reaction is initiated, the species goes through propagation where the reactive species reacts with stable molecules, producing stable species and reactive species.
In fact, the rate of reaction of alkali metals (as evidenced by their reaction with water for example) is a function not only of position within the group but also of particle size. Hydrogen does not react with oxygen—even though the equilibrium constant is very large—unless a flame initiates the radical reaction, which leads to an explosion.
The lipid hydroperoxyl radical (LOO•) can also undergo a variety of reactions to produce new radicals. [citation needed] The additional lipid radical (L•) continues the chain reaction, whilst the lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) is the primary end product. [6] The formation of lipid radicals is sensitive to the kinetic isotope effect.