homolysis
/hoʊˈmɑləsɪs/
noun
- A chemical reaction in which a bond between two atoms breaks and each atom takes one of the shared electrons, forming two free radicals.
- In the lab, homolysis is used to start chain reactions that create new compounds.
- Homolysis of a chlorine molecule produces two chlorine atoms, each with an unpaired electron.
- UV light can cause homolysis of certain bonds in plastic, leading to damage over time.
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