= Hydroxyl radical
{title2=$\mathrm{OH}$}
The <hydroxyl radical> is $\mathrm{HO\cdot}$, an oxygen-centered species with an unpaired electron. It differs from the hydroxide ion $\mathrm{OH^-}$ despite containing the same two elements.
It reacts rapidly with many molecules through pathways such as hydrogen abstraction and addition to multiple bonds. Its atmospheric role follows from those kinetics: even a low abundance can strongly influence how long other reactive trace gases persist.
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