Radical Reactions

Reaction Mechanisms in Chemistry

In this course, Dr Danny Allwood (Sheffield Hallam University) talks to us about the various mechanisms we encounter in organic chemistry at A-level. We begin by (i) introducing free radical substitution and its mechanism of reaction; then (ii) moving onto ionic mechanisms by first defining the terms “nucleophile” and “electrophile”; before (iii) moving onto some basic substitution and elimination reactions; and finally (iv) addition reactions.

Radical Reactions

In the first mini-lecture, Dr Danny Allwood discusses the radical chemistry we learn about in A-level Chemistry. We begin by first introducing what free radicals are, their extremely high reactivity and usefulness in organic reactions. We then learn the step-by-step process of free radical substitution, a process which for example can form haloalkanes from alkanes. But the reaction has its downsides, as we learn about in this lecture.