Reactive Intermediates

Reactive intermediates are short-lived, highly reactive molecules that form temporarily during chemical reactions. They act as transitional species, facilitating the transformation of reactants into final products. These intermediates are often unstable and quickly convert into more stable compounds, making them difficult to isolate. Understanding these intermediates is crucial in chemistry because they provide insight into reaction mechanisms, helping scientists design more efficient processes and develop new materials or pharmaceuticals. Despite their fleeting existence, reactive intermediates play a key role in controlling how chemical reactions proceed.