Dumb Chemistry Question!

[atlanta213]

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Hey guys!
I was looking through the reactions in organic chemistry
and I am missing a basic, elementary concept.
................x
Reactant------->Product
................y
When I was taking o chem, i just memorized the compounds above and below the reaction arrow
(represented here as x and y, ignore the periods) and never questioned what they are for.
I just regarded them as catalyst or solvent. But can somebody tell me
what each of them exactly represent?

Thankx, and I apopreciate you guys answering to my dumb question!

 

[TeamGuo]

it really doesn't matter but the formality is that

x = would be your reagent
y = would be your solvent

This is just in general.

Strictly memorizing is never a good idea.