Question

What are the similarities and differences between ions and radicals?

Answer 1

The points of differences between ions and radicals are discussed below:

Ions	Radicals
The charged species are known as ions. An ion is electrically charged it can either be positive or negative.	An atom of an element/group of atoms of different elements that have at least one unpaired electron is known as a radical.
Electrons in ions are paired.	A radical has at least one unpaired electron.
They are formed due to heterolytic fission	They are formed due to homolytic fission
Ions are more stable than radicals.	Radicals are less stable than ions.
Example: A molecule of Sodium chloride $\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$contains Sodium ion $\left({\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\right)$ which is a cation as well as a Chloride ion $\left({\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\right)$ which is an anion.	Example: Hydroxyl radical $\left({\mathrm{OH}}^{\bullet }\right)$ as well as Methyl radical $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\bullet \right)$.

The points of similarities between ions and radicals are:

• Both are unstable when compared to corresponding atoms.
• Both are electron-deficient/enriched when compared to the atoms they are composed of.