Radical Processes in the Petrochemical Industry

Radical processes are used heavily in chemical industries, particularly in the petrochemical industry. One such example is the process called cracking. In Chapter 4, we mentioned that cracking of petroleum converts large alkanes into smaller alkanes that are more suitable for use as gasoline. Cracking is a radical process  

When cracking is performed in the presence of hydrogen gas, alkanes are produced and the process is called hydrocracking  

Reforming, also mentioned in Chapter 4, is a process that causes straight-chain alkanes to become more highly branched, and this process also involves radical intermechates. 

---