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Initiation

  • Page ID
    40492
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    A typical radical chain reaction consists of three types of steps:

    1. One initiation step: An initiation step is a reaction in which radicals are generated from a stable, non-radical precursor. Initiation increases the concentration of radicals in the system.
    2. Two or more propagation steps: A propagation step is a reaction in which a radical is consumed and a new radical is generated. Propagation does not affect the concentration of radicals in the system.
    3. One or more termination steps: A termination step is a reaction in which radicals are consumed but no new radicals are generated. Termination decreases the concentration of radicals in the system.

    eg: Heat-induced reaction of excess methane with bromine

    initiation.png


    This page titled Initiation is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gamini Gunawardena via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

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