Radical substitution reaction

In a substitution reaction, a functional group or an atom on a carbon chain is replaced. The substitution mechanism can be ionic (nucleophilic, electrophilic) or radical. The radical substitution always follows the same reaction mechanism. At the start reaction, a radical is first formed, which then initiates the formation of the product in the chain propagation. The reaction then comes to a standstill through the recombination of two radicals in the so-called chain termination.

In this experiment the students see that a radical substitution reaction with bromine and cyclohexane requires light. They learn how to detect some of the reaction products.