Radical (chemistry)
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Radical (chemistry)
A Radical (pronounced /ˈrædɪkəl/), in chemistry, is a molecule that contains at least one unpaired electron. Most radicals are reasonably stable only at very low concentrations in inert media or in a vacuum.
Etymology
The term "radical" comes from the Latin word "radix" meaning "root". Originally, the term was used to indicate the root (i.e., the "non-changeable") part of a compound.
Related Terms
- Free radical: A type of radical where the unpaired electron is present on an atom that is not bonded to any other atom.
- Radical reaction: A type of chemical reaction that involves radicals.
- Radical polymerization: A type of polymerization where the growth of a polymer chain proceeds via a free radical reaction.
- Radical substitution: A type of substitution reaction where a radical replaces a different atom or group of atoms.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Radical (chemistry)
- Wikipedia's article - Radical (chemistry)
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