Question

Q 13.3: Which of the following is the least stable radical choice? Tertiary radical. B : Allyl radical. C : Secondary radical. D : Methyl radical. E : Primary radical.

Answer 1

Answer:

Methyl radical

Explanation:

A radical is any specie that contains an odd number of electrons. We must note that the greater the number of alkyl groups which are attached to a carbon atom that bears the odd electrons, the more the degree of delocalization of the odd electrons and consequently the more stable we expect the free radical to be.

Hence the order of free radical stability is; Methyl < Primary < Secondary < Tertiary. Hence, we can easily see that the methyl radical is the least stable free radical.