Answer
When a reaction is not an elementary reaction it occurs in more than one step resulting in the formation of a compound that is not present if the reactants and the products of the overall reaction but it is present in the individual steps of the reaction.This compound is known as a reaction intermediate. Note: It is different than a catalyst as a catalyst appears on the arrow of the overall reaction.
Work Step by Step
When a reaction is not an elementary reaction it occurs in more than one step resulting in the formation of a compound that is not present if the reactants and the products of the overall reaction but it is present in the individual steps of the reaction.This compound is known as a reaction intermediate. Note: It is different than a catalyst as a catalyst appears on the arrow of the overall reaction.
Step 1: A+B -> C+D
Step 2: D+E -> C+F
Overall reaction : A+B+E -> 2C+F
Reaction intermediate is : D
