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Radicals are atoms, molecules, or ions that have unpaired electrons. They are highly reactive and can react with a wide variety of other molecules. Radicals can be formed by a variety of processes, including the homolytic breaking of a covalent bond, the addition of an electron to a neutral molecule, or the removal of an electron from a negative ion. Some examples of radicals include the hydroxyl radical (OH), the superoxide radical (O2-), and the nitric oxide radical (NO).