What does a reaction mechanism illustrate?

A reaction mechanism is a detailed description of the step-by-step process by which reactants are converted into products. This includes the specific sequence of elementary steps that occur, the formation and breaking of chemical bonds, and the intermediate species that may form along the way. By illustrating these steps, a reaction mechanism provides insights into how reactants interact on a molecular level and the energy changes that occur during the reaction.

The inclusion of the bonds that are broken or formed is crucial, as it allows chemists to understand the changes in the molecular structure that lead to the final products. This depth of understanding can help in predicting the effects of changing various reaction conditions, understanding reaction rates, and even designing new reactions.

In contrast, while reaction products, temperature conditions, and quantities of reactants are all important aspects of a chemical reaction, they do not encapsulate the intricate details of how those reactions occur at a molecular level, which is the primary focus of a reaction mechanism.