Abstraction Reaction
Definition and meaning of Abstraction Reaction in chemistry.
An abstraction reaction is a reaction in which one species removes an atom, most often a hydrogen atom, from another molecule. Hydrogen abstraction by free radicals is a key step in many chain reactions.
In more detail
In a typical hydrogen abstraction, a reactive radical pulls a hydrogen atom away from a stable molecule, forming a new bond to that hydrogen and leaving behind a new radical. This propagates radical chain reactions and is important in combustion, atmospheric chemistry, and the aging of plastics.
Key facts
| Atom transferred | Usually hydrogen |
|---|---|
| Common agent | A free radical |
| Occurs in | Radical chain reactions |
| Field | Physical / organic chemistry |
In the chlorination of methane, a chlorine radical abstracts a hydrogen atom from methane, producing hydrogen chloride and a methyl radical.
Frequently asked questions
What is hydrogen abstraction?
It is an abstraction reaction in which a reactive species, usually a free radical, removes a hydrogen atom from another molecule, creating a new radical.