Question

The term "abstraction" is frequently employed to describe specific radical reactions. This raises the question of why this particular term is used in the context of radicals. This query touches upon aspects of chemical history and linguistics. To provide more clarity:

Is the term "abstraction" used in the same sense as "substitution" to describe the process of a reaction, or is it specifically chosen to differentiate reactions involving radicals?

a."Abstraction" is used interchangeably with "substitution" to denote the process of radical reactions.
b."Abstraction" is a distinct term from "substitution" and is specifically employed to highlight reactions involving radicals.
c."Abstraction" and "substitution" have different historical origins but are functionally equivalent in describing radical reactions.
d.The usage of "abstraction" or "substitution" depends on the specific radical reaction, and the terms are not universally interchangeable.

Answer 1

The term 'abstraction' is used to describe radical reactions where an atom is removed from a molecule by a radical, while 'substitution' refers to the replacement of an atom or group by another atom or group, not necessarily involving radicals. These terms have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable. Therefore, correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term abstraction is specifically chosen to describe radical reactions where an atom (often a hydrogen atom) is removed or “abstracted” from a molecule by a radical, leaving a radical behind.

This is thus distinct from a substitution reaction, in which an atom or group is replaced by another atom or group, often without radical involvement. For example, when methane reacts with chlorine gas under ultraviolet light, a chlorine atom can abstract a hydrogen atom from methane, leaving a methyl radical and forming hydrochloric acid (HCl).

This is an abstraction reaction because the hydrogen atom is abstracted from methane. In contrast, in a nucleophilic substitution reaction, such as when an alkyl halide reacts with a nucleophile, the halide is replaced by the nucleophile without the formation of radicals.

In summary, abstraction and substitution are terms with different meanings and are not used interchangeably in the context of radical reactions. The usage of these terms is determined by the specific mechanism of the reaction, and their distinct mechanisms highlight the importance of proper terminology in chemistry.