Radicals

[ConnorRazmaDis2I]

In a molecule with a radical how do you identify which element the radical is on?

[Shivangi_2J]

you put one dot on the element that has the radical

[rachana_korapati3C]

How would you define a radical?

[KatrinaPho_2I]

A radical is an atom, molecule, or ion that has an unpaired valence electron. These unpaired electrons make radicals highly chemically reactive. Most organic radicals have short lifetimes because of this.

[danicatran4]

Put the radical on whatever atom will give it the last formal charge (attempt to get the molecule stable as possible).

[Katelyn Phan 2A]

The radical is placed with the atom based on the formal charge. Remember that we want a FC closer to 0.

[Kaylee Kang 1G]

Placing the radical on the atom that will have a formal charge as close to 0 as possible!

[Brian Chang 2H]

As a rule, we always try to get formal charge as close to zero as possible so place the radical based on that.

If everything is zero then just pick one (Try to follow the octet guideline, dont give it to any elements with a full octet that isn't in group 3 as they can't take more than 8.)

[Niveda_B_3I]

Also, you wouldn't make the atom that has the most electronegativity a radical, because it would want a full octet.

[Imelda Mena 3I]

Just for clarification when we say radical we can mean both the molecule with the unpaired valence electron OR the single electron as well? The word is used to describe both?

[Imelda Mena 3I]

Does anyone know if there are certain atoms that typically get the unpaired electron in a radical molecule?

[Sameen Mahmood 3D]

The atom with an incomplete lone electron pair is what makes the molecule a radical molecule. Typically it'll be like nitrogen or something. Because they're reactive they don't last very long and they can be very damaging.

[705022748]

Aim to get formal charge close to 0 and base the placement of your radical on that.

[Annalyn Diaz 1J]

Quick question, are we going to have to know in-depth about radicals or just know a basic application of it for the final?

[jocelyntzeng]

I think just the basic application, and where it comes up and how it affects the molecule (ie makes it more unstable)

[Emily Li 4A]

I remember doing a homework question where you have to draw the lewis structure of ClO. Since there are only 13 electrons available for the structure, I naturally thought that Cl had a full octet and O had only 7 electrons, with one electron by itself to show that ClO is a radical. However, the answer key says that O has a full octet instead. What's the difference and why is the latter structure more correct?

[Estelle Jung]

Molecules usually with an odd number of electrons will be considered a radical.