substitution reactions

Substitution reactions are chemical processes where one atom or group in a molecule is replaced by another atom or group. Imagine a molecule as a building; in a substitution reaction, a part of the building is swapped out for a different piece without changing the overall structure. This often happens in organic chemistry, like replacing a hydrogen atom with a chlorine atom in a hydrocarbon. These reactions are important in creating new compounds and modifying existing ones, enabling the synthesis of drugs, plastics, and other materials. The process generally involves specific conditions and mechanisms to facilitate the exchange.