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Radical Formation: Homolysis

Radical Formation: Homolysis

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.

Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride

Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride

Radical substitution reactions can be used to remove functional groups from molecules. The hydrogenolysis of alkyl halides is one such reaction, where the weak Sn–H bond in tributyltin hydride reacts with alkyl halides to form alkanes. Here, the reagent Bu3SnH yields tributyltin halide as a byproduct.
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...

Catalysis

Catalysis

The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.

Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Mechanism

Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Mechanism

The reaction of hydrogen bromide with alkenes in the presence of hydroperoxides or peroxides proceeds via anti-Markovnikov addition. The radical chain reaction comprises initiation, propagation, and termination steps.
The mechanism starts with chain initiation, which involves two steps. In the first chain initiation step, a weak peroxide bond is homolytically cleaved upon mild heating to form two alkoxy radicals. In the second initiation step, a hydrogen atom is abstracted by the alkoxy...

Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals

Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals

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...

Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Overview

Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Overview

The addition of hydrogen bromide to alkenes in the presence of hydroperoxides or peroxides proceeds via an anti-Markovnikov pathway and yields alkyl bromides.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Manufacture of Concentrated, Lipid-based Oxygen Microbubble Emulsions by High Shear Homogenization and Serial Concentration

Manufacture of Concentrated, Lipid-based Oxygen Microbubble Emulsions by High Shear Homogenization and Serial Concentration

Published on: May 26, 2014

Probing catalyst-free hydroxyl radical generation at microbubble interfaces.

Si-Yu Yang¹, Wei Wang¹, Jie-Jie Chen^2,3

¹Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.

Nature Communications

|October 3, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study reveals catalyst-free generation of hydroxyl radicals at microbubble surfaces, driven by hydroxide ions and electric fields. These radicals efficiently degrade pollutants and convert nitrogen, showing promise for environmental remediation.

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A Microfluidic System with Surface Patterning for Investigating Cavitation Bubble(s)–Cell Interaction and the Resultant Bioeffects at the Single-cell Level

A Microfluidic System with Surface Patterning for Investigating Cavitation Bubble(s)–Cell Interaction and the Resultant Bioeffects at the Single-cell Level

Published on: January 10, 2017

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Last Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Manufacture of Concentrated, Lipid-based Oxygen Microbubble Emulsions by High Shear Homogenization and Serial Concentration

Manufacture of Concentrated, Lipid-based Oxygen Microbubble Emulsions by High Shear Homogenization and Serial Concentration

Published on: May 26, 2014

Fabricating and Labeling Microbubbles with Fluorescent and Radioactive Tracers

Fabricating and Labeling Microbubbles with Fluorescent and Radioactive Tracers

Published on: January 24, 2025

A Microfluidic System with Surface Patterning for Investigating Cavitation Bubble(s)–Cell Interaction and the Resultant Bioeffects at the Single-cell Level

A Microfluidic System with Surface Patterning for Investigating Cavitation Bubble(s)–Cell Interaction and the Resultant Bioeffects at the Single-cell Level

Published on: January 10, 2017

Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Environmental Science
Materials Science

Background:

Gas-liquid interfaces at micro/nanoscale exhibit unique chemical reactivity.
Reactivity of individual microbubbles remains largely unexplored.
Understanding microbubble surface chemistry is crucial for novel applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To visualize and understand the catalyst-free generation of reactive oxygen species at microbubble interfaces.
To elucidate the mechanisms driving radical formation at the gas-liquid interface.
To explore the applications of this process in environmental remediation and sustainable chemistry.

Main Methods:

In-situ chemiluminescence imaging.
Spectroscopic analyses.
Multiscale computational simulations.

Main Results:

Visualized catalyst-free generation of hydroxyl radicals at microbubble gas-liquid interfaces.
Identified enrichment of hydroxide ions and interfacial electric fields as key drivers.
Demonstrated efficient degradation of organic pollutants and conversion of nitrogen to nitrate.

Conclusions:

Microbubble interfaces can generate hydroxyl radicals without catalysts.
This process has practical applications in environmental remediation and sustainable nitrogen fixation.
Findings offer new insights into catalyst-free radical chemistry at gas-liquid interfaces.