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JEE Advanced levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 3 of 3g1186

Which of the following statements about free radicals are correct?

  1. AThe benzyl radical has unpaired-electron density at the ortho and para ring carbons as well as at the benzylic carbon
  2. BThe allyl radical has three electrons in its pi system
  3. CA tertiary alkyl radical is more stable than a primary alkyl radical because of hyperconjugation
  4. DThe vinyl radical, , is more stable than the ethyl radical because the radical carbon is sp2

Answer: A, B, C

Hyperconjugation with more alpha C-H bonds stabilises tertiary radicals; benzyl and allyl radicals are resonance stabilised (benzyl spin at ortho, para, benzylic carbons; allyl has 3 pi electrons over 3 carbons). The vinyl radical has its unpaired electron in an sp2 orbital that is orthogonal to the pi bond with no resonance, and its C-H bond is stronger than that of ethane, so it is less stable than the ethyl radical.
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