In
chemistry
Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the elements that make up matter to the compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions: their composition, structure, propertie ...
, a thiyl radical has the formula RS, sometimes written RS
• to emphasize that they are
free radicals. R is typically an alkyl or aryl substituent. Because S–H bonds are about 20% weaker than C–H bonds, thiyl radicals are relatively easily generated from
thiols RSH. Thiyl radicals are intermediates in the
thiol-ene reaction, which is the basis of some polymeric coatings and
adhesives. They are generated by hydrogen-atom abstraction from thiols using initiators such as
AIBN:
:
RN=NR → 2 R
• + N
2
:R
• + R′SH → R′S
• + RH
Thiyl radicals are also invoked as intermediates in some biochemical reactions.
References
Free radicals
Organosulfur compounds
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