Difference between Synthesis, Analysis, Conversion and Reaction in Chemistry

During a chemical reaction, substances are converted into other substances. Generally, there are two basic types of possible transformations: synthesis (combination of substances) and analysis (decomposition of substances).

In addition, we speak about a conversion if a chemical reaction is accompanied by both, combinations as well as decompositions of substances. In this article we would like to take a closer look at these different basic types of chemical reactions and give examples of a synthesis, an analysis and a conversion.

Synthesis

During a synthesis, individual elements are assembled together into a new compound. A new chemical compound is created.

\[\mathrm{ 2 H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2 H_2 O }\]

Example: An example of a synthesis is the connection of the elements hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) to water (H₂O), for example in the oxyhydrogen test.

Analysis

The analysis disassembles an existing chemical compound into its elements. The chemical substance is thus decomposed into its components.

\[\mathrm{ 2 H_2 O \rightarrow O_2 + 2 H_2 }\]

Example: An example of an analysis is the decomposition of water (H₂O) into oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H), for example by electrolysis.

Conversion

Conversions in chemistry are a mixture of syntheses and analyzes. So, both, decompositions as well as combinations occur together within only one reaction.

In a simple conversion, an element reacts with a compound, creating another element and a new compound. In a dual conversion, two compounds react with each other in a way that two new compounds are formed.

\[\mathrm{ Cl_2 + 2 NaI \rightarrow 2 NaCl + I_2 }\]

Examplke for a simple conversion: An example for a simple conversion is the formation of sodium chloride (common table salt) by elemental chlorine (Cl₂) releasing elemental iodine (I₂) from the compound sodium iodide (NaI).

\[\mathrm{ CH_4 + 2 O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + 2 H_2O }\]

Example for a dual conversion: An example of a double conversion is the combustion of methane (CH₄ and oxygen (0₂). When these two compounds are burned, the new compounds carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) are formed.