Intermediates

[Katelyn B 2E]

Does a substance have to be a product of the first step in a series of reactions and a reactant of the final step of series in order to be an intermediate?

For example, in homework question 15.46, C4H9+ is a product in Step 1 and a reactant in Step 2. However, it does not appear in Step 3. Would it still be considered an intermediate?

[Caroline Cox 1H]

Yes, even though it is not in step 3 it would still be considered an intermediate because an intermediate is any transient species in a multi step reaction. It does not need to be in all of the steps.

[AtreyiMitra2L]

Yes. An intermediate is just a substance that is produced and used in the reaction in a manner that it isnt shown in the final reaction. Because this occurs, it will be an intermediate even if it is isnt shown in step 3

[Kayla Ikemiya 1E]

Yes, it would still be an intermediate because it helped to promote the reaction to the next step and is not a final product in the overall reaction.

[Annie Lieu-1H]

Yes, any substance that is cancelled out and not in the final reaction is an intermediate (whether it appears a product or reactant first).

[Kailey Brodeur 1J]

A substance doesn't have to be a product of the first elementary reaction and a reactant of the final elementary reaction. As everyone has said, the species just has to be cancelled out when adding the elementary reactants together to get the overall reaction. This could be in the first and third steps, second and third, second and fourth, etc.

[KayleeMcCord1F]

To be an intermediate, the species just needs to cancel out within the set of reaction steps given. Reaction coefficients are also important when checking to see if things cancel out!