[Paluc]

hi guys i'm new to the forum i hope we can get along. So I of pure chemistry, I'm not a great expert, I only have a high school education, I am more inclined to the physical part. So after this short presentation, I will tell you my question. So I would like to know if it is possible to block a chemical reaction through an external magnetic or electric field? Let me explain better, I am aware that all chemical bonds (covalent, ionic and metallic) are of an electrostatic nature, and that there are compounds that are called "prisoners" that trap a molecule. I am also aware of the penning trap in which a charged atom can be harnessed by fields. And also that in "spin chemistry", there are radicals that can be affected by an external magnetic field. So after all these ideas, I think it is possible to block many molecules and not allow them to create new chemical reactions. What do you think?

[rolnor]

I think it depends, in very small scale maybe you can "hold" or "trap" some charged molecules like ions but to do it on large scale on more complex molecules I dont think is possible with todays technology. I can bee wrong.

[Enthalpy]

The most efficient I can imagine at the moment is a magnet that removes a reactant from the reaction zone. This works if the reactant is at the surface of a magnetic powder attracted by the magnet. Maybe this reactant was introduced already at the powder's surface, of the surface is designed to catch the reactant.

Cheating maybe a little bit, electrolysis could change the composition of the reaction medium: remove a reactant, or introduce reaction poisons.

Or with voltage applied, liquid crystals might block light needed by a reaction.

In limit situations, an electric field can solidify some liquids, notably water. This might stop some reactions.

Or strong electric field (even zap), or strong light, could create reaction poisons.

En electric detonator disperses the reactants? What, off-limit?