Initiation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-005871",
  "term": "Initiation",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A chemical reaction or a series of reactions that generates a reactive intermediate, such as a radical, carbocation, or carbanion, from a stable molecule. This intermediate then participates in a subsequent propagation step of a chain reaction. For example, the homolytic cleavage of a chlorine molecule by ultraviolet light to form two chlorine radicals is the initiation step for the free-radical chlorination of alkanes.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "alkanes",
    "chain reaction",
    "dissociation",
    "radical",
    "reactive"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1125 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)",
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 149. 'A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 169 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668010149)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/initiation/"
}