Organic Chemistry/Introduction to reactions/Radicals

---

Radical stability

Radicals listed from less to more stable F° < Cl° < Br° < I° F° is totally unstable while I° is generally unreactive.

Alkyl groups vary in stability. CH₃° is quite reactive as it violates the octet rule. However, CH₃⁺ is also a charged moiety and is therefore even less stable and harder to form.

Alkyl groups listed from less to more stable CH3° < 1° < 2° < 3° Clearly, the tertiary carbocation is the most stable, as it is surrounded by three other carbon atoms that share the burden of its positive charge.

(Multiple images follow)