What is a reaction mechanism?

A reaction mechanism provides a comprehensive explanation of how a chemical reaction proceeds at the molecular level. It outlines the specific steps involved in transforming reactants into products, detailing the intermediates formed and the precise sequence of elementary reactions or bond-breaking and bond-forming events that occur.

This step-by-step description is critical for understanding not just the final outcome of the reaction, but also the various pathways and conditions that might influence the result. By illustrating the individual stages, including any transition states and intermediates, it helps chemists predict the behavior of a reaction under different conditions and facilitates deeper insights into reaction kinetics and dynamics.

Understanding reaction mechanisms is fundamental in fields such as organic chemistry, where different pathways can lead to different products. This information is invaluable for predicting reaction outcomes, designing new reactions, and developing synthetic strategies.