11 Facts About Free radical

In chemistry, a free radical is an atom, molecule, or ion that has at least one unpaired valence electron.

Notable example of a Free radical is the hydroxyl Free radical, a molecule that has one unpaired electron on the oxygen atom.

Delocalization of electrons across the structure of a Free radical, known as its ability to form one or more resonance structures, allows for the electron-deficiency to be spread over several atoms, minimizing instability.

The HOMO of a Free radical is singly-occupied hence the orbital is aptly referred to as the SOMO, or the Singly-Occupied Molecular Orbital.

The tocopherol Free radical itself is insufficiently stable for isolation, but the parent molecule is a highly effective hydrogen-atom donor.

Drying oils and alkyd paints harden due to Free radical crosslinking initiated by oxygen from the atmosphere.

Such reactions cause the depletion of the ozone layer, especially since the chlorine radical is free to engage in another reaction chain; consequently, the use of chlorofluorocarbons as refrigerants has been restricted.

Radicals are necessary for life, the body has a number of mechanisms to minimize Free radical-induced damage and to repair damage that occurs, such as the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase.

Some symptoms of aging such as atherosclerosis are attributed to Free radical induced oxidation of cholesterol to 7-ketocholesterol.

Until late in the 20th century the word "Free radical" was used in chemistry to indicate any connected group of atoms, such as a methyl group or a carboxyl, whether it was part of a larger molecule or a molecule on its own.

Term Free radical was already in use when the now obsolete Free radical theory was developed.