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Free radicals are molecules that, through
photolysis or chemical reaction, have an unpaired electron in their outer
valance shell. These radicals are very reactive and thus have a short
life. When a free radical reacts with a more stable molecule, the radical
often pulls an atom from it and becomes a stable molecule itself. The
original molecule then becomes a free radical and will react with other
species of atoms and molecules in a long series (or chain) of reactions
until the process reaches the termination phase. In this phase two free
radicals combine, sharing the pair of electrons and breaking the chain.
[Journal of Organic Chemistry; v56; p5743-5; 1991.] [Journal of Organic
Chemistry; v58; p3953-9; 1993.]
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