Final answer:
Alkanes are the simplest organic compounds with single bonds and are nonpolar, rendering them generally unreactive. Alkyl radicals, however, have an unpaired electron and are very reactive, primarily formed by homolytic cleavage of alkanes during reactions with halogens under specific conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences between Alkanes and Alkyl Radicals
Alkanes are the simplest organic compounds that consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms with only single bonds (C-C and C-H) and without any functional groups. Alkanes are nonpolar molecules, making them generally unreactive toward ionic compounds like acids, bases, oxidizing agents, or reducing agents. Butane is an example of an alkane.
On the other hand, alkyl radicals are active intermediates in organic chemistry formed when alkanes undergo homolytic cleavage, often during reactions with halogens in the presence of UV light or heat, such as the conversion of methane (CH4) to methyl chloride (CH3Cl). Alkyl radicals have a single unpaired electron, making them highly reactive and prone to engaging in further chemical reactions to achieve a stable electronic configuration.
While alkanes are saturated compounds, alkyl radicals do not have a complete set of hydrogen atoms due to the one less hydrogen on the carbon with the unpaired electron. The formation of alkyl radicals is crucial in the conversion of alkanes to haloalkanes and later to other organic compounds through various reaction mechanisms, including the notable SN2 reaction.