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Chapter 1: Problem 148

A free radical is (a) generated by a heterolytic cleavage (b) paramagnetic (c) generally more stable than a carbanion (d) produced in an ionic reaction

Short Answer

Expert verified
a) generated by a heterolytic cleavage b) paramagnetic c) generally more stable than a carbanion d) produced in an ionic reaction Answer: b) paramagnetic

Step by step solution

01

Understanding free radicals

A free radical is an uncharged molecule with an unpaired electron. They are highly reactive species because of their unpaired electron, which usually results in short lifetimes. Free radicals are formed from homolytic cleavage, where each of the fragments receives one electron from the breaking bond. The main characteristic of a free radical is its paramagnetic nature due to the presence of an unpaired electron.
02

Analyzing statement (a) - generated by a heterolytic cleavage

Heterolytic cleavage involves bond breaking in such a way that one fragment receives both electrons from the bond, resulting in charged ions. As free radicals are formed by homolytic cleavage (where each fragment receives one electron), this statement is incorrect.
03

Analyzing statement (b) - paramagnetic

As mentioned earlier, free radicals are paramagnetic because they have an unpaired electron. This unpaired electron is responsible for the high reactivity of these species. Therefore, this statement is correct.
04

Analyzing statement (c) - generally more stable than a carbanion

A carbanion is an ion with a negative charge on the carbon atom. Carbanions are typically more stable than free radicals due to their complete electron shells and lower reactivity. Hence, this statement is incorrect.
05

Analyzing statement (d) - produced in an ionic reaction

Ionic reactions involve the transfer of electrons between species, resulting in ions. Since free radicals are formed by homolysis and not the transfer of electrons, they are generally not produced in ionic reactions. Therefore, this statement is incorrect. Based on our analysis, the correct characteristic of a free radical is only statement (b) - a free radical is paramagnetic.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which of the following does not exhibit tautomerism?

ClCCI ClC(Cl)(Cl)Cl The \(\mathrm{Cl}^{\text { }} \mathrm{Cl}\) bond angle in \(1,1,2,2\) -tetrachloroethene and tetrachloromethane respectively are about (a) \(90^{\circ}\) and \(109.5^{\circ}\) (b) \(109.5^{\circ}\) and \(120^{\circ}\) (c) \(120^{\circ}\) and \(109.5^{\circ}\) (d) \(120^{\circ}\) and \(120^{\circ}\)

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which among the following compounds can exhibit geometrical isomerism? (a) 2 -phenyl but- 1 -ene (b) 1 -phenyl but- 2 -ene (c) 3 -phenyl but-1-ene (d) 1,1 -dichlorobut- 1 -ene
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