Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I was looking through my notes and I saw a term that confused me. What is a "hydroxyl-free radical"? I asked my science teacher and she told me that it was a molecule; one that is hydroxyl-free (thanks, Mrs. B!). Can you clear it up anymore?

Thank You,
hurleyan

A "hydroxyl free radical" is not free of hydroxyl. The term "free radical" and "radical" are generally used interchangeably in the chemistry world.

Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia. I have put in bold some interesting points. "Radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atoms, molecules, or ions with unpaired electrons on an open shell configuration. Free radicals may have positive, negative or zero charge. Even though they have unpaired electrons, by convention, metals and their ions or complexes with unpaired electrons are not radicals. [1] With some exceptions, the unpaired electrons cause radicals to be highly chemically reactive. Radicals are believed to be involved in degenerative diseases and cancers.

Free radicals play an important role in combustion, atmospheric chemistry, polymerization, plasma chemistry, biochemistry, and many other chemical processes, including human physiology. For example, superoxide and nitric oxide regulate many biological processes, such as controlling vascular tone. Such radicals can even be messengers in a phenomenon dubbed redox signaling. "Radical" and "free radical" are frequently used interchangeably, although a radical may be trapped within a solvent cage or be otherwise bound.?"

So a "hydroxyl free radical" is a highly reactive, short lived organic molecule containing the hydroxyl group (-OH).

I hope this helps.

That clears everything up, thanks a ton!

hurleyan