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allyl radical

allyl radical

9.6
A small, reactive part of a molecule with three carbon atoms and one unpaired electron
  • noun
  • /ˈælɪl ˈrædɪkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : radical alílico
  • The stability of the allyl radical is greater than that of most alkyl radicals due to resonance.

Examples

  • Free allyl radical intermediates play a crucial role in the mechanism of this process.

  • The allyl radical is frequently encountered in organic synthesis reactions.

  • The allyl radical is crucial in organic chemistry.

  • Many reactions involve the allyl radical as an intermediate.

  • In organic chemistry, the allyl radical acts as an important intermediate in various reactions.

  • Chemists studied the allyl radical to understand its behavior in polymerization processes.

  • The reactivity of the allyl radical makes it a valuable component in synthetic chemical pathways.

Synonyms

allyl
vsallyl radical
  • Specialized
9.2

A part of a molecule with three carbon atoms and a double bond found in many organic compounds

is defined the same way without stressing occurrence in compounds
allyl group
vsallyl radical
  • Specialized
7.0

A part of a molecule with three carbon atoms and one double bond

is used for the same entity in general rather than only as a substituent

Surface Forms

allyl radical singular

Morphology

allyl + radical

The term is compositionally built: 'allyl' denotes the specific C3H5 fragment and 'radical' denotes a univalent, highly reactive species, so 'allyl radical' straightforwardly refers to the C3H5 radical. Although this is technical chemistry vocabulary, a learner who knows both constituent meanings can directly derive the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Allyl radical comes from allyl, a word taken from the garlic plant name 'Allium' because this three-carbon group was first seen in garlic oils, and from radical, a chemistry word for a small, very reactive part of a molecule that has a free electron. So allyl radical means that three-carbon piece C3H5 acting as a reactive 'radical' in chemical reactions.