The chemical inhibitor (from the inhibeo lat - stop, hold back) is a reagent or process that slows down or fully stops the chemical reaction. It is the opposite of catalyst.
The concept of an inhibitor
To understand the process itself, let's compare a chemical reaction with the usual driving of the car. Let's start moving on "reagents" and finish it at the destination. While driving, we press the speed to move faster or brake in front of a dangerous area. To slow down the car, we use brakes, which in this case are an inhibitor of a vehicle.
In chemistry, the reagents are molecules that slow down or stop the chemical reaction.
Types of reagents
There are two types of inhibitors: reversible and irreversible. The first substances slow down the process, but do not stop it completely, and the second - prevent the occurrence of a unwanted reaction.
Why are the slowing down reagents?
Chemical inhibitors are useful for a number of reasons.
- First, the reaction products often continue to create an undesirable new substance. Secondly, some reactions caused by a large number of additional heat can lead to a dangerous situation. Inhibitors prevent chemical damage or decay of finished products. A good example of this is the anti-corrosion coating of the car body.
- In the production of polymers, reaction inhibitors are used to modify the properties of the final polymer product, as well as to increase its utility. For example, polyethylene used for the manufacture of plastic jugs and packages is made of the same reagents. Longer polymer chains form strong thin films. If you put oxygen bubbles through the reaction vessel, a thicker plastic is formed. Plasticizers and binders are other classes of compounds added to the reaction of the chemical synthesis of the polymer to change the flexibility and rigidity of the final product.
- As another example, you can consider silver. Such decorations are often covered with rhodium metal or transparent polymer to prevent the formation of dark gray metal sulphides and remove dullness. The polymer coating is an inhibitor.
General chemical inhibitors
There are many different types of chemical reagents. Some of the most common types include corrosion inhibitors, reversible and irreversible enzyme reagents, microbial inhibitors, preservatives and UV stabilizers.
- Corrosion inhibitors prevent acid oxidation of metals and alloys under the influence of the environment. They are vital in industrial and chemical processes. Usually corrosion inhibitors are applied to the surface to prevent its damage.
- In biochemistry, the enzyme is a protein catalyst for a chemical reaction. Its protein inhibition is an important process of regulation within the cell itself. There are three types of reversible enzyme inhibitors: competitive, non-competitive and infinite, which are classified depending on where they are binding to the enzyme. Such substances are often used in drugs comprising inhibitors of sulfamed preparations and natural inhibitors used in embryonic development.
- Antibacterial compounds act as microbial inhibitors. Triklozan is a compound included in the soap that kills bacteria and prevents the process of creating external cell membranes. Household bleach causes critical bacterial proteins that are inevitably glued together, preventing the growth of bacteria.
- A subclass of microbial inhibitors - preservatives. Such molecules slow down the oxidation or damage of products, beverages, creams, lotions and cosmetics, while not killing bacteria or yeast. An example is the potassium sorbate, which is usually added to fruit juices to prevent the growth of yeast and unwanted fermentation.
- Increase the stability of polymers to UV radiation and extend the service life helps UV stabilizers. The additive absorbs the light by entering into the reaction with the products of primary decomposition, and inhibits unwanted processes. It is applied over polymer or inserted into production.
So, inhibitors are necessary for our lives. They slow down the reactions, making them more controlled. Without the impact of reagents, some chemical processes could stop, and the molecules fully consume.
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