VlInfrir

Free Radical vs Ion

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Free radicals are chemical Ions are chemical species

DEFINITION species having one or having either a positive or

more unpaired electrons. a negative electrical

charge.

ELECTRICAL Either positive or a

No electrical charge. negative electrical
CHARGE
charge.

UNPAIRED One or more unpaired

electrons essentially No unpaired electrons.
ELECTRONS
present.

STABILITY Relatively unstable. Relatively stable.

Become stable when

GAINING Become stable by they form complexes

STABILITY accepting electrons. with oppositely charged

compounds.
 Exist by themselves. Combined with
OCCURRENCE oppositely charged ions.

OXIDATION OR Neither oxidants nor Can act as both oxidizing

REDUCTION reducing agents. and reducing agents.

The total number of

ELECTRONS AND The number of electrons electrons is always not
PROTONS is equal to the number equal to the number of
of protons.
•rotons in the nucleus.