Chemical Intermediates: What Are They and What They Do?

An intermediate is a molecule that is made up of two or more reactants, and then it reacts further to give products. Most chemical reactions are needed more than one step. Intermediate in the output from each step, except for the last one. In the last step, the final product is produced.

Intermediates are hardly present in the product mix as they are produced for a short time. They can hardly be isolated. It is due to their instant reaction with the other chemicals in the reaction to produce the final products eventually. To understand it better, look at the example chemical reaction:

A + B = R + S

However, in reality, the reaction is more likely to be something like

A + B= Intermediates

Intermediates = R + S

The number of intermediates can be significant in every reaction, and they are sometimes difficult to identify due to their fleeting nature.

Product in Transition

Intermediates can be distinguished from the molecular vibrations. They are best described as a product in transition, although they have a similar lifetime. On the other hand, the intermediaries are short-lived, and they are highly reactive. It’s why they are present in minimal quantities in the reaction mixtures. Intermediates are best described by the reaction in which they are present. A short-lived intermediate in one reaction may be very stable in the other. The intermediates are short-lived as compared to the other chemicals in the reactions.

They take the form of free radicals or unstable ions and are produced at very high temperatures or pressure due to their high reactivity. In other reactions, several steps take place in the batch. Sometimes it is required to isolate the intermediate for further reactions. But usually, it is not always possible due to their high reactivity with the other chemicals in the reaction mixture. Isolating these intermediates is nothing less than a challenge as their lifespan is very short. Take the example of esterification of diol, in the first step a mono-ester in produced. Next, it reacts quickly to form the dio-ester.

Cumene is an excellent example of an intermediate in the chemical industry. The term intermediate in the chemical industry means that it is a product of the reaction and is beneficial when used as a precursor chemical for the other industries.

Finally,

Chemical intermediates in India are made by some producers. Use these where required.

About This Author

Diane Smith Joined: November 27th, 2019