reaction intermediates

Reaction intermediates are temporary molecules that form during a chemical reaction. They appear after the initial step and before the final products are created. Think of them as "halfway" points in a process, helping to connect reactants (starting materials) to products (end results). Intermediates are usually short-lived and not found in the final mixture. Their presence helps chemists understand how a reaction occurs, the steps involved, and how to control or improve the process. Essentially, intermediates are the step-by-step building blocks that bridge the beginning and end of a chemical transformation.