Radical Reactions and How They Occur Radicals react to complete electron octet of valence shell A radical can abstract an atom and one bonding electron from another molecule,leaving behind a new radical Unpaired electron /Unpaired electron Rad.+A:B Rad:A B Reactant Substitution Product radical product radical A radical can add to an alkene to give a new radical (radical addition reaction) Unpaired electron Unpaired electron Rad Rad. Reactant Alkene Addition product radical radicalRadical Reactions and How They Occur „ Radicals react to complete electron octet of valence shell „ A radical can abstract an atom and one bonding electron from another molecule, leaving behind a new radical „ A radical can add to an alkene to give a new radical (radical addition reaction)