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The hydroxyl radical is often referred to as the "detergent" of the troposphere because it reacts with many pollutants, often acting as the first step to their removal. It also has an important role in eliminating some greenhouse gases like methane and ozone. [3] The rate of reaction with the hydroxyl radical often determines how long many ...
In chemistry, a hydroxy or hydroxyl group is a functional group with the chemical formula −OH and composed of one oxygen atom covalently bonded to one hydrogen atom. In organic chemistry , alcohols and carboxylic acids contain one or more hydroxy groups.
The first and second steps are electrophilic addition that breaks the aromatic ring in benzene (A) and forms two hydroxyl groups (–OH) in intermediate C. Later an ·OH grabs a hydrogen atom in one of the hydroxyl groups, producing a radical species (D) that is prone to undergo rearrangement to form a more stable radical (E).
The hydroxyl radical, Lewis structure shown, contains one unpaired electron. Lewis dot structure of a Hydroxide ion compared to a hydroxyl radical. In chemistry, a radical, also known as a free radical, is an atom, molecule, or ion that has at least one unpaired valence electron.
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 ...
Finally, the chain is terminated when the hydroxyl radical is scavenged by a ferrous ion: Fe 2+ + HO • + H + → Fe 3+ + H 2 O (step 4: termination) George showed in 1947 that, in water, step 3 cannot compete with the spontaneous disproportionation of superoxide, and proposed an improved mechanism for the disappearance of hydrogen peroxide.
The free radicals generated by this process engage in secondary reactions. For example, the hydroxyl is a powerful, non-selective oxidant. [6] Oxidation of an organic compound by Fenton's reagent is rapid and exothermic and results in the oxidation of contaminants to primarily carbon dioxide and water.
In atmospheric chemistry, the most common scavenger is the hydroxyl radical, a short-lived radical produced photolytically in the atmosphere. It is the most important oxidant for carbon monoxide, methane and other hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and most of other contaminants, removing them from the atmosphere.