Chemistry of organic free radicals in the vapor phase. I. Detection and reactions of free alkyl radicals

Abstract

IN THE VAPOR PHASET he problem of assigning a precise definition to the term "free radical" has been adequately and interestingly discussed (1). For the purpose of this review article, any molecule (or atom) possessing an unpaired electron will be considered a free radical in the generally accepted sense. As indicated in the title, the basic chemistry which will be reviewed will concern those processes involving homolytic cleavage or covalent bond rupture in which organic free radicals are produced or participate. Of necessity, some "atom" reactions are involved, but the large group of reactions falling in this class (e.g., reactions of H-) are not considered.posed on the experiments of early years have been and are being rapidly removed with the use of the excellent physical techniques which have now become available, 1 Since this review article was written, a monograph (64) on the kinetics of homogeneous gas reactions has been published. This volume, authored by A. F. Trotman-Dickenson, will be of interest to all students of free radical chemistry. The rate factors associated with a number of different types of radical reactions are tabulated and documented with abundant literature references.