Homolytic cleavage is a type of bond dissociation in which a covalent bond breaks evenly, with each atom retaining one of the shared electrons, forming two radicals. This process is fundamental in radical chemistry and is often initiated by heat or light, playing a crucial role in various organic reactions and polymerization processes.

Homolytic Cleavage

Homolytic cleavage

Bond dissociation refers to the process of breaking a chemical bond in a molecule to form two or more separate entities, typically requiring energy input. The energy needed to break a bond, known as the bond dissociation energy, is a critical factor in determining the reactivity and stability of molecules in chemical reactions.

bond dissociation

A covalent bond is a chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, allowing them to attain a stable electron configuration similar to noble gases. This type of bond is characterized by the mutual attraction of the shared electrons to the positively charged nuclei of both bonded atoms, resulting in the formation of molecules with specific shapes and properties.

covalent bond

shared electrons

two radicals

Radical chemistry involves the study of chemical reactions and processes that involve radicals, which are highly reactive species with unpaired electrons. This field is crucial for understanding mechanisms in organic synthesis, polymerization, and biochemical processes, impacting areas such as material science and pharmaceuticals.

radical chemistry

initiated by heat

Initiated by light

Organic reactions are chemical processes involving organic compounds, characterized by their transformation through the making and breaking of covalent bonds. These reactions are fundamental in the synthesis of new organic molecules and are driven by mechanisms that involve electron movement and molecular rearrangements.

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