Abstract
A free radical is an atom or a molecule with one or more unpaired electrons in its outer orbit [1]. Therefore, an oxygen free radical is an oxygen species with unpaired electrons. Molecular oxygen exists in the triplet or diradical state, whereas most organic compounds exist in the singlet state. Oxygen is a radical in its naturally occurring state. It has two unpaired electrons each located in a different pi antibonding orbit. The unpaired electrons have the same spin orientation. Molecular oxygen (O2) is therefore an oxidant. The oxygen attempts to oxidize another molecule by accepting a pair of electrons. The electrons must be of antiparallel spin so as to fit in the vacant spaces in the π orbitals. A pair of electrons would not meet this criterion because electrons would have opposite spins. Thus, oxygen tends to accept its electrons one at a time.
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