Side reaction

<p>A side reaction is a <a href="/facts/Chemical_reaction/GpqWlKrz">chemical reaction</a> that occurs at the same time as the actual main reaction, but to a lesser extent. It leads to the formation of <a href="/facts/By-product/qDosnqoD">by-product</a>, so that the <a href="/facts/Yield_(chemistry)/fkBhd9dH">yield</a> of main product is reduced:
</p>

A
          
          +
          B
          
            
              →
              
                
                  
                    k
                    
                      1
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
          
            P
            
              1
            
            
              
            
          
        
      
    
    {\displaystyle {\ce {{A}+B->[{k_{1}}]P1}}}

A
          
          +
          C
          
            
              →
              
                
                  
                    k
                    
                      2
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
          
            P
            
              2
            
            
              
            
          
        
      
    
    {\displaystyle {\ce {{A}+C->[{k_{2}}]P2}}}

<p>P1 is the main product if k1> k2. The by-product P2 is generally undesirable and must be <a href="/facts/Separation_process/8Ie5Lv5Y">separated</a> from the actual main product (usually in a <a href="/facts/Industrial_separation_processes/C2K95xKc">costly process</a>).
</p>

Side reaction open-in-new

Side reaction