Chapter 10.9, Problem 20CC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The hydrogen atom that gets easily abstracted from the given molecule vitamin E should be determined.

Concept introduction:

Radical or free radical: The unpaired valence electron of an atom, molecule, or ion is called as radical. The stability order for radical is as follows,

$\text{benzylic}\text{>}\text{allylic}\text{>}\text{tertiary}\text{>}\text{secondary}\text{>}\text{primary}\text{>}\text{methyl}$

The movement of single electron present in the molecule is usually denoted by using the half headed arrows called fishhook arrows.

Resonance: The molecule is said to have resonance structures if it has more than one structure by migrating lone pair, radical or the phi bonds present in the molecule.

Resonance stabilization: Due to the delocalization of electrons within the molecule the overall energy becomes lower and makes the molecule more stable.

Bond strength present in the molecule depends on the formation of the radical, if the radical formed is resonance stabilized then the bond associated with it is weak than the other bond present in the molecule.