Single-Step Reaction
Single-Step Reaction
a chemical reaction that cannot be represented as the sum of simpler chemical reactions. Stepwise chemical reactions (seeREACTION, STEPWISE CHEMICAL) consist of two or more single-step reactions, which are often referred to as simply “steps” of a complex reaction. As a rule, no more than two atomic bonds are broken or formed in a single-step reaction. For example, in the reaction H2 + O = H + OH, one H—H bond is broken, and one O—H bond is formed.