SME
Organic Chemistry I · Problem type
The radical chain, step by step
Use this for “Put the steps of the light-driven chlorination of methane in order, from initiation to termination.”
Put in order
Put the steps of the chain in order, first to last.
1
?
2
?
3
?
4
?
Assumptions
•
A radical (·) has one unpaired electron; each fishhook arrow moves one electron.
•
Initiation makes radicals, propagation uses one radical and makes another, and termination joins two radicals.
•
The two propagation steps repeat thousands of times for each Cl₂ split by light before two radicals meet.
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