What is heterolytic fission?

Heterolytic fission refers to the process during which a covalent bond breaks and both of the electrons that constituted the bond are transferred to one of the two atoms involved in that bond. This results in the formation of charged species: one atom becomes a positively charged cation, while the other becomes a negatively charged anion. This type of bond breaking is crucial in many chemical reactions, particularly in polar reactions and mechanisms involving ion formation.

In contrast, the other options describe different concepts in chemistry. The second option, for example, describes homolytic fission, where the electrons are split evenly between the two atoms, leading to the formation of two radicals rather than ions. The third option describes a process that involves radical species rather than the breaking of bonds in a way that leads to charged species. Lastly, the fourth option relates to changes in structure rather than the specific mechanism of bond breaking involved in heterolytic fission. Thus, understanding the nuance of how electrons are transferred is essential for identifying heterolytic fission correctly.