Radical (chemistry)

The hydroxyl radical, Lewis structur shawn, conteens ane unpaired electron

In chemistry, a radical (mair precisely, a free radical) is an atom, molecule, or ion that haes unpaired valence electrons. Wi some exceptions, thir unpaired electrons mak free radicals heichly chemically reactive taewart ither substances, or even taewart themsels: thair molecules will eften spontaneously dimerise or polymerise if thay come in contact wi ilk ither. Maist radicals are raisonably stable anly at very law concentrations in inert media or in a vacuum.