Which type of intermediate (A) is formed during the reaction?
`CH_(3)CH_(2)-N=N-CH_(2)CH_(3) overset("heat")to (A)+N_(2)`

Options

A. Carbocation
B. Carbanions
C. Free radical
D. Carbene

Explanation

To determine the type of intermediate (A) formed during the reaction of `CH3CH2-N=N-CH2CH3` upon heating, we can analyze the reaction step by step.

### Step 1: Identify the Reaction
The given reaction is:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2-\text{N}=\text{N}-\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \overset{\text{heat}}{\rightarrow} (A) + \text{N}_2 \]

Here, we are heating a compound that contains a nitrogen-nitrogen double bond (azo compound).

### Step 2: Understand the Bond Fission
When the compound is heated, the nitrogen-nitrogen bond (N=N) is likely to undergo homolytic fission. This means that the bond breaks in such a way that each nitrogen atom takes one of the shared electrons, resulting in the formation of free radicals.

### Step 3: Formation of Free Radicals
Upon heating, the nitrogen-nitrogen bond breaks, leading to the formation of two free radicals:
1. A free radical derived from the ethyl group, `CH3CH2•`
2. A free radical derived from the `N` atom, which can be represented as a nitrogen-centered radical.

### Step 4: Identify the Intermediate (A)
The intermediate (A) formed in this reaction is a free radical. This is because the breaking of the N=N bond generates unpaired electrons, characteristic of free radicals.

### Conclusion
Thus, the type of intermediate (A) formed during the reaction is a **free radical**.

### Final Answer
The correct answer is **free radical**.

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