Which of the following free radicals is the most stable?

A $(CH X_{3}) X_{2} CH X^{∙}$
B $(CH X_{3}) X_{3} C X^{∙}$
C $CH X_{3} CH X_{2} X^{∙}$
D $CH X_{3} X^{∙}$

Answer: B

Alkyl radical stability increases with the number of alkyl groups on the radical carbon because of hyperconjugation and electron release. The order is tertiary > secondary > primary > methyl. Hence the tert-butyl radical is the most stable.

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Which of the following free radicals is the most stable?

Answer: B

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