What occurs during a heterolytic reaction?

During a heterolytic reaction, a covalent bond breaks in such a way that both bonding electrons are transferred to one of the atoms involved in the bond rather than being evenly split between them. This results in the formation of a cation and an anion, as one of the atoms takes both electrons. This is significant in many chemical reactions, especially in organic and biochemical processes, as it creates charged species that can further participate in subsequent reactions.

The concept of heterolytic cleavage contrasts with homolytic cleavage, where each atom involved in the bond retains one of the electrons, leading to the formation of free radicals. Understanding this distinction is crucial for predicting the reactivity and mechanisms of various reactions in organic chemistry and biochemistry.