What is the difference between a reaction mechanism and reaction type?
Ulex replies The reaction type is something like: substitution, elimination, oxidation, hydrolysis etc. These are words that describe the overall change. Reaction mechanism is something like: nucleophilic, electrophilic etc. These are words which descirbe in detial what happens during the reaction on a molecular scale. If, in an exam, you give the right words but the wrong way around, you will probably be given both marks. Similarly if you give both words in the same ‘box’ and then have nothing to say in the other one, again you should be awarded both marks. For instance, Type: electrophilic substitution Mechanism: – Examiners generally do try to find out what you know and can do, rather than trying to catch you out! Risk assessment Before attempting any practical work based on the advice and suggestions on this website, you must do the following. Identify any hazards, assess the risks from these hazards, and then decide appropriate control measures to reduce the risks. You must have t
