Free-radical addition is an addition reaction in organic chemistry involving free radicals. The addition may occur between a radical and a non-radical, or between two radicals.
The basic steps with examples of the free radical addition (also known as radical chain mechanism) are:
- Initiation by a radical initiator: A radical is created from a non-radical precursor.
- Chain propagation: A radical reacts with a non-radical to produce a new radical species
- Chain termination: Two radicals react with each other to create a non-radical species
Free radical reactions depend on a reagent having a (relatively) weak bond, allowing it to homolyse to form radicals (often with heat or light). Reagents without such a weak bond would likely proceed via a different mechanism. An example of an addition reaction involving aryl radicals is the Meerwein arylation.
Read more about Free-radical Addition: Addition of Mineral Acid To An Alkene, Self-terminating Oxidative Radical Cyclizations
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