Homolytic and Heterolytic Fission of a Covalent Bond: Free Radicals, Carbocations, Carbanions, Electrophiles and Nucleophiles, Types of Organic Reactions
Free Radicals: A free radical is an atom or molecule that has lost an electron, resulting in a net gain of charge. This can occur when a covalent bond breaks, resulting in the loss of a single electron. The resulting atom or molecule is called a free radical.
Carbons: A hydrocarbon with a carbon chain that is bonded to an atom or group of atoms other than hydrogen is called a hydrocarbon. Carbocations are derived from saturated hydrocarbons where a hydrogen atom is replaced by a carbon atom.
Carbanions: A hydrocarbon with a carbon chain that is bonded to a hydrogen atom and has lost an electron is called a hydrocarbon. Carbocations are derived from unsaturated hydrocarbons where a hydrogen atom is replaced by a carbon atom.
Electrophiles: An electrophile is an atom or molecule that can accept an electron. Electrophiles are often atoms or molecules that are electron-deficient, such as halogen atoms or organic halides.
Nucleophiles: A nucleophile is an atom or molecule that donates an electron. Nucleophiles are often atoms or molecules that are electron-rich, such as nitrogen atoms or metallic atoms.
Types of Organic Reactions:
Addition: In an addition reaction, two molecules combine to form a larger molecule. This can occur when a free radical attacks an electrophile, or when two electrophiles collide and combine.
Elimination: In an elimination reaction, a molecule loses a molecule, such as water or hydrogen, to form a smaller molecule. This can occur when a hydrogen atom is abstracted from a substrate molecule, or when a nucleophile attacks an electrophile.
Substitution: In a substitution reaction, one atom or molecule replaces another atom or molecule in a molecule. This can occur when a nucleophile attacks an electrophile, or when a free radical attacks an electrophile