Transition metal-lead single bond cleavage

For a more detailed look at this reaction, iodomethane reacts with lithium metal, which is assumed to exist as a simple dimer (Li-Li). The products are lithium iodide and CHgLi (methyllithium, 33). When the lithium dimer comes close to the C-I bond of iodomethane, the polarized C-I bond induces a polarized Li-Li structure (an induced dipole) and the transition state of the reaction is taken to be 31. Rather than transferring two electrons, the Li-Li bond breaks with transfer of only one electron (homolytic cleavage remember that Li is in group 1), which leads to formation of a methyl radical ( 0113) and a lithium radical ( Li), as well as a lithium cation and an iodine anion (see 32). Transition state 31 represents the transfer of single electrons to generate radicals. When the methyl radical and the lithium radical combine, each donates... 

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