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Related Concept Videos

Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals01:16

Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals

2.1K
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...
2.1K
Radical Formation: Homolysis00:54

Radical Formation: Homolysis

3.6K
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.
3.6K
Radical Formation: Addition00:47

Radical Formation: Addition

1.7K
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...
1.7K
Radical Formation: Overview01:03

Radical Formation: Overview

2.1K
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...
2.1K
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

2.4K
Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...
2.4K
Radical Formation: Elimination00:51

Radical Formation: Elimination

1.7K
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...
1.7K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Preparation of Functional Silica Using a Bioinspired Method
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Silica Biomineralization with Lignin Involves Si-O-C Bonds That Stabilize Radicals.

Srinath Palakurthy1, Lothar Houben2, Michael Elbaum2

  • 1The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel.

Biomacromolecules
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Summary

Lignin polymerization enhances silica formation, while silicic acid stabilizes lignin radicals, increasing yield. This study reveals a reciprocal relationship in plant biomineralization.

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Quantitative 31P NMR Analysis of Lignins and Tannins
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Quantitative 31P NMR Analysis of Lignins and Tannins

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Quantitative 31P NMR Analysis of Lignins and Tannins
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Area of Science:

  • Plant biology
  • Biomineralization
  • Polymer chemistry

Background:

  • Plants biomineralize silicon, primarily as amorphous silica in cell walls.
  • Lignin, a polyphenol polymer, may moderate silica formation, but reactions are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate silica deposition on a lignin model compound.
  • Elucidate the interaction between lignin and silica.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesized polyphenyl propanoid from coniferyl alcohol.
  • Used spectroscopic techniques (Raman, FTIR, XPS) to analyze reactions.
  • Employed thermal gravimetric analysis and electron microscopy (STEM, EDX) for characterization.

Main Results:

  • Covalent Si-O-C bonds formed between silica and lignin matrix.
  • Silica nucleants grew into 2-5 nm particles, forming an extended gel.
  • Lignin yield increased with silicic acid, suggesting phenolic radical stabilization.

Conclusions:

  • Lignin polymerization catalyzes silica formation.
  • Silicic acid enhances lignin polymerization and yield.
  • Demonstrated a reciprocal relationship in silica-lignin interactions.