Intermediate Types

We know that when a reaction is completed, all the reactants are completely converted into products. But the reactants do not directly convert into products. Rather, the reactants first convert to the transition state, and then from the transition state to the intermediate, then from the intermediate to the second transition state, and finally from the second transition state to the product. Hence " Intermediates are defined as a molecular entity which is formed inbetween reactants and products (It is neither be a reactant nor a product) or inbetween two transition states ". Fig:- Reaction Energy Diagram In a reaction mechanism (series of elementary reactions through which the overall reaction takes place), intermediate molecule is formed in one elementary step while consumed in another elementary step. Therefore, these intermediates are not present in the overall balanced equation. But still a part of every reaction. Intermediates tend to be extremely reactive due to the...