< Organic Chemistry < Introduction to reactions

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.

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