Reaction mechanisms

Reactions of organic compounds can be explained using mechanisms.

Free-radical mechanisms:

• the unpaired electron in a radical is represented by a dot

• the use of curly arrows is not required for radical mechanisms.

Students should be able to:

• write balanced equations for the steps in a free-radical mechanism.

Other mechanisms:

• the formation of a covalent bond is shown by a curly arrow that starts from a lone electron pair or from another covalent bond

• the breaking of a covalent bond is shown by a curly arrow starting from the bond.

Students should be able to:

• outline mechanisms by drawing the structures of the species involved and curly arrows to represent the movement of electron pairs.