Generation of radicals by bimolecular reactions

The published data on bimolecular processes of radical generation in chain degradation, polymerisation, oxidation and halogenation reactions of organic compounds are systematised and analysed within the framework of the parabolic model of homolytic bimolecular reactions. The specific features of these highly endothermic reactions are discussed with a special emphasis on their striking similarity to radical abstraction processes with identical reaction centres in the transition state. The feasibility of theoretical evaluation of the activation energies and the rate constants of bimolecular reactions in radical generation is demonstrated. The bibliography includes 86 references.