Aqueous Reactions & Solutions
Many reactions are done in a homogeneous liquid or gas phase which generally improves reaction rates.
The prime medium for many inorganic reactions is water which serves as a solvent (the substance present in the larger amount), but does not react itself.
The substance(s) dissolved in the solvent is (are) the solute(s). Together they comprise a solution. The reactants would be the solutes.
Reaction solutions typically have less solute dissolved than is possible and are “unsaturated”.