Radical ions

Formation of radical ions by single electron transfer (SET)

Formation of a radical anion by electron attachment to a neutral molecule A .

Formation of a radical cation by elimination (removal) of an electron from a neutral molecule A .

Radical ions - also ionic radicals - is a collective name for molecules that have the characteristics of radicals (a "lone" electron) and ions (the electrical charge ) at the same time . A distinction is made between:

• Radical anions and
• Radical cations .

Semiquinones and ketyls are examples of radical anions, Wurster's salts one for radical cations.

Manufacturing

Radical ions are formed in the single-electron transfer ( single electron transfer , SET) on or from neutral molecules.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Otto-Albrecht Neumüller (Ed.): Römpps Chemie-Lexikon. Volume 5: Pl-S. 8th revised and expanded edition. Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1987, ISBN 3-440-04515-3 , p. 3462.