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Radical Reactivity: Overview

Radical Reactivity: Overview

Radicals, the highly reactive species, gain stability by undergoing three different reactions. The first reaction involves a radical-radical coupling, in which a radical combines with another radical, forming a spin‐paired molecule. The second reaction is between a radical and a spin‐paired molecule, generating a new radical and a new spin‐paired molecule. The third reaction is radical decomposition in a unimolecular reaction, forming a new radical and a spin‐paired molecule. These three...

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Radical reactions can occur either intermolecularly or intramolecularly. In an intermolecular radical reaction, a nucleophilic radical adds to an electrophilic alkene or vice versa. In such reactions, the radical and generally the alkene, which is also called the radical trap, are two different molecules. Additionally, for such intermolecular reactions to occur, the radical trap must be active, present in an excess concentration, and the radical starting material must have a weak carbon–halogen...

Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals

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Radicals adjacent to electron-donating groups are called nucleophilic radicals. These radicals readily react with electrophilic alkenes. The SOMO–LUMO interactions are the driving force for the reaction, where the high-energy SOMO of the electron-rich, nucleophilic radicals interacts with the low-energy LUMO of the electron-deficient, electrophilic alkenes. Such SOMO–LUMO interactions are the basis of reactive radical traps, affecting the selectivity in radical reactions. For instance, consider...

Radical Reactivity: Concentration Effects

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In a radical reaction, the concentration of starting materials governs the selectivity of a radical. For example, the reaction between an alkyl halide and an alkene, in the presence of tin hydride and AIBN, begins with the generation of a tin radical. The generated radical then abstracts halogen from the alkyl halide, producing an alkyl radical. This alkyl radical can either react with tin hydride, yielding an alkane, or add to an alkene, generating a nitrile-stabilized radical, eventually...

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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Preparation and Reactivity of Gasless Nanostructured Energetic Materials

Preparation and Reactivity of Gasless Nanostructured Energetic Materials

Published on: April 2, 2015

Reactivity within a confined self-assembled nanospace.

Tehila S Koblenz¹, Jeroen Wassenaar, Joost N H Reek

¹Supramolecular and Homogeneous Catalysis, van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, Amsterdam, 1018 WV, The Netherlands.

Chemical Society Reviews

|January 17, 2008

Summary

Self-assembled nanocapsules create confined nanospaces for reactions. These nanoreactors, utilizing noncovalent bonds, enable effective organic and metal-catalyzed transformations within their protected environments.

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Area of Science:

Supramolecular Chemistry
Nanotechnology
Catalysis

Background:

Confined nanospaces, including molecular capsules, zeolites, and micelles, serve as reaction environments.
Self-assembly offers a versatile approach to creating well-defined nanostructures for chemical transformations.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the application of self-assembled nanocapsules as nanoreactors.
To discuss the principles of nanocapsule self-assembly and encapsulation effects.
To highlight examples of organic and metal-catalyzed reactions within nanocapsules.

Main Methods:

Focus on self-assembly driven by noncovalent interactions (hydrogen bonds, metal-ligand interactions).
Discussion of building blocks and properties of resulting nanocapsules.
Review of literature demonstrating nanocapsules in catalytic reactions.

Main Results:

Self-assembled nanocapsules provide controlled environments for chemical reactions.
Encapsulation within nanocapsules can influence reaction outcomes.
Demonstrated utility in various organic and metal-catalyzed transformations.

Conclusions:

Self-assembled nanocapsules are effective nanoreactors for diverse catalytic processes.
The design of nanocapsules based on noncovalent interactions is crucial for their function.
Nanoreactors offer unique advantages for controlling chemical reactions.