Major Paths for Radicals Reacting with Neutrals

3 MAJOR PATHS FOR RADICALS REACTING WITH NEUTRALS 

These two important reactions make up the core of most radical processes. 

The initial radical abstracts an atom from a neutral molecule, giving a new radical (Fig. 11.5). The atom abstracted is commonly a hydrogen or a halogen atom. 

Overlap No overlap restrictions other than the incoming radical center must collide with the atom to be abstracted. 

Selectivity There is a preference to abstract the hydrogen atom that would produce the most stable radical (breaking the weakest bond is energetically favored). Table 11.1 can usually be used to predict which C-H bond abstraction is preferred. Exceptions occur with abstractions by very electronegative radicals such as chlorine radical. With CH3CH2CH2-ewg, chlorine radical preferentially abstracts the CH2 away from the ewg since that CH2 bears less of a partial plus. 

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Section 11.3 Major Paths for Radicals Reacting with Neutrals... 

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