https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00960
A reaction in which one or more reactive reaction
intermediates
(frequently radicals) are continuously regenerated, usually through a repetitive cycle of elementary steps (the 'propagation
step'). For example, in the chlorination of methane by a radical mechanism
, Cl· is continuously regenerated in the chain propagation
steps: In chain polymerization
reactions, reactive intermediates of the same types, generated in successive steps or cycles of steps, differ in relative molecular mass
, as in: See also:
chain branching
, chain transfer
, degenerate chain branching
, initiation
, termination
Sources:
PAC, 1993, 65, 2291. (Nomenclature of kinetic methods of analysis (IUPAC Recommendations 1993)) on page 2293 [Terms] [Paper]
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1094 [Terms] [Paper]
PAC, 1996, 68, 149. (A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 157 [Terms] [Paper]
PAC, 1993, 65, 2291. (Nomenclature of kinetic methods of analysis (IUPAC Recommendations 1993)) on page 2293 [Terms] [Paper]
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1094 [Terms] [Paper]
PAC, 1996, 68, 149. (A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 157 [Terms] [Paper]