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Related Concept Videos

Radical Formation: Abstraction00:47

Radical Formation: Abstraction

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The electron of an atom can be abstracted from a compound by a relatively unstable radical to generate a new radical of relatively greater stability. For example, an initiator which forms radicals by homolysis can abstract a suitable species like a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom from a compound to generate a new radical. This ability of radicals to propagate by abstraction is a crucial feature of radical chain reactions.
Even though homolysis produces radicals, it is different from radical...
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Radical Formation: Elimination00:51

Radical Formation: Elimination

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Another method of radical formation is the elimination process. It is the opposite of the addition route and is driven by the instability of the radical. For example, as depicted in Figure 1, dibenzoyl peroxide yields a pair of unstable radicals upon homolysis. Given its instability, this radical spontaneously undergoes elimination via a C–C bond cleavage to form a relatively more stable phenyl radical. The mechanism involves cleavage of the bond between the α and β positions with respect...
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Radical Formation: Overview01:03

Radical Formation: Overview

2.6K
A bond can be broken either by heterolytic bond cleavage to form ions or homolytic bond cleavage to yield radicals. A fishhook arrow is used to represent the motion of a single electron in homolytic bond cleavage. There are two main sources from which radicals can be formed:
Radicals from spin-paired molecules:
Radicals can be obtained from spin-paired molecules either by homolysis or electron transfer. While two radicals are formed in the former, an electron is added in the...
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Radical Formation: Homolysis00:54

Radical Formation: Homolysis

4.5K
A bond is formed between two atoms by sharing two electrons. When this bond is broken by supplying sufficient energy, either two electrons can be taken up by one atom forming ions by the cleavage called heterolysis, or the two electrons are shared by two atoms, with one each creating radicals by the cleavage called homolysis.
4.5K
Radical Formation: Addition00:47

Radical Formation: Addition

2.3K
Radicals can be formed by adding a radical to a spin-paired molecule. This is typically observed with unsaturated species, where the addition of a radical across the π bond leads to the production of a new radical by dissolving the π bond. For example, the addition of a Br radical to an alkene yields a carbon-centered radical.
Similar to charge conservation in chemical reactions, spin conservation is implicit for radical reactions. Accordingly, the product formed must possess an...
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Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation01:31

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Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
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Environmentally persistent free radicals: Occurrence, formation mechanisms and implications.

Bo Pan1, Hao Li2, Di Lang1

  • 1Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science & Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China; Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Carbon Sequestration and Pollution Control in Soils, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|February 26, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are organic radicals protected by particles, posing significant toxicity. This review synthesizes EPFR research, addressing their formation, transport, and environmental risks.

Keywords:
DegradationHumic substancesOrganic contaminantsStabilized free radicalsTransition metals

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are organic radicals stabilized by particles, exhibiting notable toxicity.
  • Their unique physical form necessitates novel assessment strategies, differing from conventional contaminants.
  • Current research on EPFRs is fragmented, lacking systematic analysis and clear conclusions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review and synthesize current research on EPFRs.
  • To highlight EPFRs' occurrence, transport, generation mechanisms, and environmental implications (toxicity and reactivity).
  • To identify knowledge gaps and suggest future research directions for a comprehensive understanding.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical discussion of existing studies on EPFRs.
  • Analysis of EPFR formation and stabilization influenced by precursors and environmental factors.
  • Identification of unique processes and mechanisms differentiating EPFRs from common contaminants.

Main Results:

  • EPFRs are persistent due to particle protection, leading to significant organism toxicity.
  • Formation and stabilization mechanisms are influenced by precursors and environmental conditions.
  • Unique processes and mechanisms of EPFRs require distinct assessment approaches compared to conventional pollutants.

Conclusions:

  • A systematic understanding of EPFRs' environmental behavior and risks is crucial.
  • Further research on EPFR formation, transport, and reactivity is needed.
  • Integrating EPFR toxicity into risk assessments will improve environmental and health evaluations.