Classify the given radicals into the appropriate category

Classify the given radicals into the appropriate category: Primary Secondary Tertiary Answer Bank (CH3CH2CH2CH2 CH3 CH2 – CH3-

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

Let’s classify the given radicals into the appropriate category: Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary. Here’s the breakdown:

Radicals:

1. CH3CH2CH2CH2•
   This is a primary radical. A primary radical is one in which the carbon that carries the unpaired electron (the radical) is attached to only one other carbon atom. In this case, the radical is on a carbon that is attached to just one other carbon (the CH3CH2CH2 group).
2. CH3• (Methyl Radical)
   This is a primary radical. The radical is located on a methyl group (CH3), where the carbon is bonded to only one other carbon or hydrogen (in the case of methyl, it’s a single hydrogen). It is considered primary because the radical carbon is attached to just one carbon atom.
3. CH3CH2• (Ethyl Radical)
   This is a primary radical. The radical is located on the ethyl group (CH3CH2), where the radical carbon is attached to just one other carbon atom, hence it’s primary.
4. CH3CH•CH3 (Isopropyl Radical)
   This is a secondary radical. A secondary radical is one where the radical carbon is attached to two other carbon atoms. In this case, the radical is on a carbon attached to two other carbons (one CH3 and one CH3).
5. (CH3)3C• (Tert-butyl Radical)
   This is a tertiary radical. A tertiary radical is one where the radical carbon is attached to three other carbon atoms. The tert-butyl radical has a central carbon attached to three methyl groups (CH3), so it is tertiary.

Summary:

• Primary radicals: CH3CH2CH2CH2•, CH3•, CH3CH2•
• Secondary radical: CH3CH•CH3
• Tertiary radical: (CH3)3C•

Explanation:

Radicals are classified based on the number of carbon atoms to which the carbon carrying the unpaired electron is bonded:

• Primary: The radical carbon is bonded to one other carbon.
• Secondary: The radical carbon is bonded to two other carbons.
• Tertiary: The radical carbon is bonded to three other carbons.

This classification is important because it affects the stability of the radicals. Tertiary radicals are the most stable, followed by secondary, and then primary radicals, which are the least stable due to the fewer carbon atoms providing less electron stabilization.