6-3 Radical Reactions Radical Highly reactive because it contains an atom with an odd number of electrons (usually seven)in a valence shell Can achieve a valence shell octet through: Radical substitution reaction Radical abstracts an atom and one bonding electron from another reactant Unpaired Unpaired electron electron Rad. A Rad:A .B Reactant Substitution Product radical product radical Radical ▪ Highly reactive because it contains an atom with an odd number of electrons (usually seven) in a valence shell ▪ Can achieve a valence shell octet through: ▪ Radical substitution reaction ▪ Radical abstracts an atom and one bonding electron from another reactant 6-3 Radical Reactions