Free Radicals | Carbocations |
|---|---|
Free radicals are electron-deficient atoms or groups of atoms. It can include carbon-centered free radicals (for example, H3C.) and non-carbon-centered free radicals (for example, HO., Cl., etc.). | Carbocations are electron-deficient carbon atoms. |
Free radicals do not carry any charge and are neutral species. | Carbocations contain a positive charge on the carbon atom- for example, CH3+. |
Free radicals are the by-product of homolytic bond cleavage. | Carbocations are the by-product of heterolytic bond cleavage. |
Free radicals have a single unpaired electron. | Carbocation has no unpaired electron. |
Free radical is devoid of one electron. | A carbocation is devoid of two electrons. |
Free radicals combine with other radicals to form a covalent bond (dimer). | Carbocations combine with other two-electron donors (nucleophiles) to form a covalent bond. |
The stability order by (+I effect) of carbon-centered free radical is - 30> 20> 10> CH3 | The stability order by (+I effect) of the carbocation is - 30> 20> 10> CH3 |
The reactivity order of carbon-centered free radicals is- CH3> 10> 20> 30 | The reactivity order of carbocation is- CH3> 10> 20> 30 |
Related Reading- Free Radicals (Introduction, Structure, and Types), Carbocations