Elimination reaction of free radicals

An elimination reaction of free radicals is the mechanism by which free radicals can undergo an elimination reaction to form olefins.

For example, when polystyrene decomposes upon heating at a temperature above 300 °C, a styrene monomer is generated via a radical elimination mechanism (See Fig.

Radical elimination reactions are found in enzyme-catalyzed pathways.

In the dehydrogenation reaction of acyl-CoA to form enoyl-CoA, FAD accepts two protons and two electrons to form FADH2 under the catalysis of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase.

[3] The mechanism involves formation of acyl-CoA β-radical that undergo elimination to form the enoyl-CoA product (See Fig.

Fig. 1: Radical disproportionation via a radical elimination mechanism
Fig. 2: Depolymerization of polystyrene via a radical elimination mechanism
Fig. 3: An acyl-CoA dehydrogenase -catalyzed reaction in a radical elimination reaction