https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02851
The cleavage of a bond ('homolytic cleavage' or 'homolytic fission') so that each of the molecular fragments between which the bond is broken retains one of the bonding electrons. A @M03989-1@ reaction involving homolysis of a bond (not forming part of a cyclic structure) in a molecular entity containing an even number of (paired) electrons results in the formation of two radicals:
H02851.png
It is the reverse of @C01153@. Homolysis is also commonly a feature of @M03989-2@ (and of other reactions) involving radicals and molecules.See also:
bond-dissociation energy
, heterolysis