Chemical reactions are the heart of chemistry. This vast and complex subject must be examined in a systematic fashion if we hope to understand it. To this end it is useful to define the components of a reaction as follows. Furthermore, it should be recognized that several competing reactions may take place in a given system, and their relative velocities (rates) will generally influence the composition of the products.

SUBSTRATE
usually the largest organic
molecule undergoing change

+

REAGENTS
organic & inorganic compounds
also involved in the reaction
CONDITIONS
   
solvent,
temperature,
catalysts etc.

PRODUCTS
in many cases only the
organic products are listed