cleavage reaction

chemistry

Also known as: cleavage, scission

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June 24, 2026

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In chemistry, a cleavage reaction refers to the breaking of a molecule. This can occur through various mechanisms, including hydrolysis, where water is used to break the molecule apart, inserting its elements into the resulting products. Another type of bond cleavage is homolysis, where a covalent bond splits evenly, producing free radicals. Conversely, heterolysis involves the uneven splitting of a covalent bond, with one atom taking both electrons. Chemical synthesis often involves breaking existing bonds and forming new ones to create desired compounds.12345

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ether
Cleavage
Ethers are good solvents partly because they are not very reactive. Most ethers can be cleaved, however, by hydrobromic acid (HBr) to give alkyl bromides or by hydroiodic acid (HI) to give alkyl iodides.
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Ethers are good solvents partly because they are not very reactive. Most ethers can be cleaved, however, by hydrobromic acid (HBr) to give alkyl bromides or by hydroiodic acid (HI) to give alkyl iodides.
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organosulfur compound
Reactions
…α-disulfoxides, RS(O)S(O)R), and, ultimately, with cleavage of the sulfur-sulfur bond, to sulfonic acids, RSO₃H. Polysulfides also undergo certain reactions of this kind. A number of the disulfide S-oxides are flavorants, formed on cutting plants of the Allium genus (onion and garlic) as well as cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and so…
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…α-disulfoxides, RS(O)S(O)R), and, ultimately, with cleavage of the sulfur-sulfur bond, to sulfonic acids, RSO₃H. Polysulfides also undergo certain reactions of this kind. A number of the disulfide S-oxides are flavorants, formed on cutting plants of the Allium genus (onion and garlic) as well as cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and so…
Read More