Initiation (chemistry)
Encyclopedia
In chemistry
, initiation is a chemical reaction
that triggers one or more secondary reactions. Often the initiation reaction generates a reactive intermediate
from a stable molecule which is then involved in secondary reactions. In polymerisation, initiation is followed by a chain reaction
and termination.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, initiation is a chemical reaction
Chemical reaction
A chemical reaction is a process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another. Chemical reactions can be either spontaneous, requiring no input of energy, or non-spontaneous, typically following the input of some type of energy, such as heat, light or electricity...
that triggers one or more secondary reactions. Often the initiation reaction generates a reactive intermediate
Reactive intermediate
In chemistry a reactive intermediate is a short-lived, high energy, highly reactive molecule. When generated in a chemical reaction it will quickly convert into a more stable molecule. Only in exceptional cases can these compounds be isolated and stored, e.g. low temperatures, matrix isolation...
from a stable molecule which is then involved in secondary reactions. In polymerisation, initiation is followed by a chain reaction
Chain reaction
A chain reaction is a sequence of reactions where a reactive product or by-product causes additional reactions to take place. In a chain reaction, positive feedback leads to a self-amplifying chain of events....
and termination.