homolysis
Quick Summary
Homolysis is a chemical process where a covalent bond breaks, with each atom in the bond receiving one of the shared electrons. This results in the formation of two uncharged atoms or, more commonly, two free radicals. Free radicals are molecules containing at least one unpaired electron, making them highly reactive.12
This type of bond cleavage is known as a homolytic or free-radical mechanism. It differs from heterolysis, where one atom receives both electrons from the covalent bond. Homolytic reactions are often involved in addition reactions, such as the addition of hydrogen bromide to olefins, and can lead to chain reactions where a single initiation event results in many product molecules.13
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reaction mechanismHomolysis and heterolysisWhen a covalent bond (a nonionic chemical bond formed by shared electrons) is made up of two electrons, each of which is supplied by a different atom, the process is called colligation; the reverse process, in which the electrons of a covalentā¦
Read MoreWhen a covalent bond (a nonionic chemical bond formed by shared electrons) is made up of two electrons, each of which is supplied by a different atom, the process is called colligation; the reverse process, in which the electrons of a covalentā¦
Read More- reaction mechanismHomolytic
Additions by free-radical mechanisms also are well known. They replace the concomitant polar additions most easily when homolytic (decomposition of a compound into two neutral atoms or radicals) fission of the reagent can be readily catalyzed and when the radicals produced as intermediates sustainā¦
Read MoreAdditions by free-radical mechanisms also are well known. They replace the concomitant polar additions most easily when homolytic (decomposition of a compound into two neutral atoms or radicals) fission of the reagent can be readily catalyzed and when the radicals produced as intermediates sustainā¦
Read More