6-2 How Organic Reactions Occur: Mechanisms Reaction Mechanism An overall description of how a reaction occurs at each stage of a chemical transformation Which bonds are broken and in what order Which bonds are formed and in what order -What is the relative rate of each step A complete mechanism accounts for all reactants consumed and all products formed Reaction Mechanism ▪ An overall description of how a reaction occurs at each stage of a chemical transformation ▪ Which bonds are broken and in what order ▪ Which bonds are formed and in what order ▪ What is the relative rate of each step ▪ A complete mechanism accounts for all reactants consumed and all products formed 6-2 How Organic Reactions Occur: Mechanisms