Reaction Mechanism
What is Reaction Mechanism?
A reaction mechanism is a step-by-step description of the sequence of elementary reactions (steps) by which overall chemical change occurs, including bond-breaking, bond-forming events, and the formation of intermediates. Mechanisms show the movement of electron pairs (curved arrows) and identify key intermediates and transition states. A valid mechanism must account for the experimentally determined rate law.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A reaction mechanism is a step-by-step description of the sequence of elementary reactions (steps) by which overall chemical change occurs, including bond-breaking, bond-forming events, and the formation of intermediates. Mechanisms show the movement of electron pairs (curved arrows) and identify key intermediates and transition states. A valid mechanism must account for the experimentally determined rate law.