Chemical intermediates are compounds formed during the intermediate stages of a chemical reaction. They are not the final products of the reaction, but rather transitional substances that are formed temporarily and then consumed in subsequent reaction steps to produce the final desired product.

Chemical intermediates play a crucial role in various industrial processes, including the production of pharmaceuticals, polymers, plastics, dyes, agrochemicals, and many other chemical products. They are often synthesized from basic raw materials such as petroleum derivatives, natural gas, or biomass feedstocks.