free radical stability

Question

The stability order of free radicals is:

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

**Free Radicals** are trivalent carbon species with one unpaired electron. They are stabilized similarly to carbocations:
- **Order**: **$3^\circ > 2^\circ > 1^\circ > 	ext{Methyl}$**.
- **Reasons**:
1. **Hyperconjugation**: Delocalization of the unpaired electron into adjacent $\sigma-C-H$ bonds. More $\alpha-H$ (found in $3^\circ$) leads to more stable radical structures.
2. **Resonance**: If a radical is adjacent to a double bond (Allylic) or benzene ring (Benzylic), it is exceptionally stable due to delocalization.

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free radical stability

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