Question

What is the difference between homolytic and heterolytic cleavage?

Answer 1

Generally breaking of a bond is called bond cleavage. The bonds in between the atoms in a molecule can break in two different ways. One is homolytic cleavage and another one is heterolytic cleavage.

Complete step-by-step answer: - In the question it is asked to write the differences between homolytic and heterolytic cleavage.
- We can see the homolytic and heterolytic cleavage in the case of covalent bonds.
- The organic compound mostly contains covalent bonds in nature.
- Means frequently we can see homolytic and heterolytic cleavage in organic compounds.
- The brief explanation for heterolytic and homolytic cleavage is as follows.
Homolytic cleavage
- This type of cleavage mostly we can see in homolytic molecules in the presence of sunlight.
$X-X\xrightarrow{hv}2{{X}^{\bullet }}$
- In homolytic cleavage the bond which is present in between the atoms is going to cleave equally and the two atoms will get a one free radical to each of the atoms.
Heterolytic cleavage
- This type of cleavage mostly we can see heterolytic molecules by applying heat.
$X-Y\xrightarrow{\Delta }{{X}^{+}}+{{Y}^{-}}$
- In heterolytic cleavage the bond which is present in between the atoms is going to cleave unequally and the two atoms will get opposite charges to each of the atoms.
- The atom which has high electronegativity will get a negative charge the atom which has less electronegativity will get a positive charge in heterolytic cleavage.

Note: The reason behind the heterolytic cleavage of the bonds is due to the large difference of electronegativity of the atoms which are present in the molecules and this takes place by applying a minimum amount of heat.