What are reaction intermediates? What are the different types of reaction intermediates?

Reaction intermediates are molecular entities that exist within the course of a chemical reaction, but are neither reactants nor products. Essentially, they are formed and consumed during the reaction pathway and have a fleeting existence. They are often unstable and highly reactive.

There are three main types of reaction intermediates:

1. Carbocations: These are species with a positively charged carbon atom. They are usually formed in reactions involving carbon compounds, including organic reactions like additions and substitutions.

2. Carbanions: These are species with a negatively charged carbon atom. They are typically formed in reactions where a carbon atom gains an electron, such as in elimination reactions or nucleophilic substitutions.

3. Radicals: These are species that contain an unpaired electron. They are usually formed