initiation

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03042
A reaction or process generating free radicals (or some other reactive reaction intermediates) which then induce a chain reaction. For example, in the chlorination of alkanes by a radical mechanism the initiation step is the dissociation of molecular chlorine.
Sources:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1125 [Terms] [Paper]
PAC, 1996, 68, 149. (A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 169 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'initiation' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03042 RIS BibTex EndNote
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