The step at the end of a radical substitution when two radicals combine to form a molecule.
Propagation
The steps that continue a free radical reaction, in which a radical reacts with a reactant molecule to form a new molecule and another radical, causing a chain reaction.
Radical
A species with an unpaired electron.
Saturated
Containing single bonds only.
Saturated hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon with single bonds only.
Alkanes
The hydrocarbon homologous series with the general formula CnH2n+2
Chain reaction
A reaction in which the propagation steps release new radicals that continue the reaction
Initiation
The first stage in a radical reaction in which radicals starts when a covalent bond is broken by homolytic fission
homolytic fission
breaking of a covalent bond with one of the bonded electrons going to each atom, forming two radicals
Alkanes lack reactivity because
C-C and C-H sigma bonds are strong
C-C bonds are non-polar
the electronegativity of carbon and hydrogen is so similar that the C-H bond can be considered non-polar
Alkanes are used as fuels because...
they are readily available
easy to transport
burn in a plentiful supply of oxygen without releasing toxic products
State two limitations of using radical substitution in organic synthesis
further substitutions
substitution at different positions along chain
Alkanes are used as fuels because: readily available, easy to transport, burn to release no toxic products
