Homework 2C 1

[Dakota Walker 1L]

Which of the following species are radicals? a) NO2-, b) CH3, c) OH, d) HOCO.
Can someone explain how to do this question? And explain what a radical is?

[Justin Sarquiz 2F]

A radical is an atom, molecule, or ion that has an unshared pair of valence electrons. Therefore, for this problem, you want to draw out the Lewis structure for the following molecules or ions and see whether there are any unshared pair of valence electrons around any of the atoms. If so, then the molecule or ion is radical.

[VPatankar_2L]

Another thing you could do is calculate the total number of valence electrons for each molecule. If the total number is an odd number, the specie is a radical.

[Jocelyn Thorp 1A]

a radical is if a compound has an unpaired lone pair electron. radicals tend to be very reactive (due to them being unstable, often one electron away from a full valence shell)