initiation
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.
Source:
PAC, 1994,
66
, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1125
PAC, 1996,
68
, 149
(A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996))
on page 169