Radicals
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Re: Radicals
A radical is electrons with unpaired spins. I assume you must first evaluate all the elements of the compound. For example on the midterm it would not make sense to put the one electron on oxygen or hydrogen because their octets are already full, leaving the electron to be put on carbon.
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Re: Radicals
Elements that are more electronegative will attract the electrons more so than less electronegative elements. Therefore, the single unpaired electron will tend to be on the less electronegative element, since the more electronegative elements will likely attract full valence shells.
Also, it's always a good idea to check formal charge, that will give you clues as to where to put it too.
Also, it's always a good idea to check formal charge, that will give you clues as to where to put it too.
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Re: Radicals
I calculate the formal charges on every atom in the compound and if one atom has a +1 formal charge (assuming all other atoms have a formal charge of zero), then I would place the radical electron on the atom with the +1 formal charge so that the new formal charge will be 0 and the molecule will be more stable
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