Explain the difference between homolytic fission and heterolytic fission.

Homolytic fission:Homolytic fission occurs when the covalent bond breaks evenly, and each of the bonded atoms takes one of the shared pair of electrons from the bond. Each atom now has a single unpaired electron - called a radical. Heterolytic fission:On the other hand, heterolytic fission occurs when the covalent bond breaks unevenly, and one of the bonded atoms takes both of the electrons from the bond.The atom that takes both electrons becomes a negative ion (anion).The atom that does not take the electrons becomes a positive ion (cation).

Answered by Hannah W. Chemistry tutor

37252 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why are zinc and Scandium not transition metals?


Chlorobenzene can be produced by electrophilic substitution of benzene? Draw the mechanism for this?


How does infrared spectroscopy work and where might you see it used in real life?


What type of stereoisomer is shown by butan-2-ol and how can we prove it?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences