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HF B4 Oxygen Radicals
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Why are almost all organic molecules flammable to some extent?
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there is a large driving force for reduction of O2 to H2O
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Terms in this set (76)
Why are almost all organic molecules flammable to some extent?
there is a large driving force for reduction of O2 to H2O
Why don't organic molecules spontaneously oxidize in air?
O2 is a di-radical, meaning that it has 2 unpaired electrons of the same spin. Oxidation of O2 requires one electron of O2 to flip its spin, which is very slow.
What law requires that one of O2's electrons must flip its spin?
conservation of spin
total spin of the reactants is 1, while total spin of the products is 0. Since this cannot happen, one of O2's electrons must flip.
What types of enzymes provide a kinetic pathway to speed up spin flip? What are some examples?
oxidases and oxygenases
complex IV, cyt P450, etc
Why is liquid O2 paramagnetic?
it has 2 unpaired electrons
