Different kinds of reactions What are the nonreactive cmpds there for ?

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In summary, the reactions in organic chemistry may have additional compounds on the reaction arrow that may not directly contribute to the final product. These compounds could be catalysts, solvents, or other reactants necessary for intermediate steps in the reaction. They may not be the main reactant in the problem, but they play a crucial role in the overall reaction.
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Lo.Lee.Ta.
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There are many different kinds of reactions, but it seems evey one of them has these extra compounds on the reaction arrow (→) that don't even do anything...
They say they are catalysts or whatever, but what are they even doing?

For instance, I was writing out what the product is from 1-hexyne with H20 and H2SO4 and HgSo4.

They call this sort of reaction a keto-enol tautomerism reaction.

So first it produces an enol, and then it rearranges to form a keto tautomer.
But really, the H2O is the only thing here that actually reacted to form a new product. The O and the 2 H'S that got added were only from the H2O.

So what is the point of the other stuff in the reaction? I don't see how the H2SO4 or the HgSO4 did anything here... I guess this reaction would not have taken place without them, but WHY NOT?

Thanks for responding! You're awesome! :)
 
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What you see in the textbook is the overall reaction. To understand what you are asking, you need to see the "mechanism" of the reaction.

First of all, in organic chemistry, they may represent the reactants for some intermediate step. They may represent solvent. They may represent normal reactant. They may represent catalyst as well.

Most reactions are not a single-step reaction, but they are a summation of different intermediate steps. And the reactants on the arrows are necessary in some reactions are required in a step, without which, the reaction will not proceed.

Also, in organic chemistry, people tend to write any reactant other than the sample reactant (the one on which we are doing problem) on the arrow. So, don't bother about the on-arrow reactant being a catalyst.
 

1. What are the different kinds of reactions?

There are five main types of reactions: synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion.

2. How do you identify a synthesis reaction?

A synthesis reaction is characterized by the formation of a more complex compound from simpler substances. It can be identified by the presence of only one product in the chemical equation.

3. What is a nonreactive compound?

A nonreactive compound is a substance that does not undergo any chemical reactions under normal conditions. These compounds are stable and do not easily react with other substances.

4. Why are nonreactive compounds important?

Nonreactive compounds play an important role in many chemical processes and industries. They can be used as solvents, lubricants, and insulators due to their stability and lack of reactivity. They also serve as building blocks for more complex compounds.

5. How can you determine if a compound is nonreactive?

The reactivity of a compound can be determined by conducting experiments, such as reacting it with different substances or measuring its stability under different conditions. Additionally, the chemical structure and properties of a compound can also provide clues about its reactivity.

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