Carbenes, nitrenes, and free radicals can be formed through various reactions. Carbenes are formed through alpha-elimination reactions of halogenated compounds with bases or through catalyzed decomposition of diazo carbonyl compounds. Carbenes undergo insertion, addition, and rearrangement reactions. Nitrenes are formed through protolytic, thermal, or base-catalyzed elimination reactions or from sulfinylamines via pyrolysis. Nitrenes can insert into carbon-hydrogen bonds. Free radicals are generated through thermolysis or photolysis of organic peroxides and azo compounds and undergo substitution and chain reactions.