Chemists study inorganic reaction mechanisms (the step-by-step process of how reactions happen) using experiments. Here are the main ways:
- Measuring reaction speed – They see how fast a reaction happens under different conditions (temperature, pressure, concentration). This shows which step controls the reaction.
- Isotope labeling – They replace certain atoms with “markers” (like a heavier version of oxygen or hydrogen) to trace where atoms move during the reaction.
- Spectroscopy – They use light-based methods (like UV-Vis, NMR, or IR) to “watch” molecules and detect short-lived particles that form in between.
- Electrochemical methods – They measure how electrons move in reactions involving oxidation or reduction.
- Trapping intermediates – Sometimes, they freeze or stabilize unstable compounds that form during the reaction, proving those steps really occur.
In short: scientists combine speed studies, tracing atoms, and advanced instruments to piece together the hidden steps of an inorganic reaction.