Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Free Radical Mechanism
The iodination of alkanes via iodine (I2) involves a free radical mechanism, which consists of initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In this context, hydrogen peroxide acts as a radical initiator, generating iodine radicals that can abstract hydrogen from the alkane, forming alkyl radicals. These alkyl radicals can then react with iodine to produce iodinated products, illustrating the chain reaction characteristic of free radical processes.
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Bond Dissociation Energy (BDE)
Bond dissociation energy is the energy required to break a specific bond in a molecule, resulting in the formation of free radicals. In the context of the proposed reaction, knowing the BDEs of C-I and C-H bonds is crucial for calculating the enthalpy changes (ΔH) for each step of the mechanism. This information helps predict the feasibility of the reaction and the energy changes associated with bond formation and cleavage.
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Enthalpy Change (ΔH)
Enthalpy change (ΔH) is a measure of the heat absorbed or released during a chemical reaction at constant pressure. In this reaction, calculating ΔH for each step of the proposed mechanism allows for an understanding of the overall energy profile of the reaction. Mildly exothermic propagation steps indicate that the reaction is energetically favorable, which is essential for assessing the viability of iodination using tetraiodomethane as the iodine source.
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