Water

• Scientifically known as hydrogen monoxide, water is one of the most common chemical reactants in chemistry. Because of its ability to form bonds, its chemical structure, and its low acidity and polarity, water is almost always used in chemical reactions to neutralize the chemicals or balance out the chemicals in reaction. Water can easily be taken out of the reaction by a condensation reaction, or it can be formed again as a product by a hydrolysis reaction. The chemical properties of reactants are important, as they hold key to how the reactant functions.
  
  

Hydrogen Chloride

• Hydrogen chloride is the strongest common acid and reactant. This reactant consists of a single hydrogen molecule bonded to a single chloride molecule. When this reactant is mixed with another reactant, it will completely dissociate in the other solution. This compound is used mainly to assess the acidity of a reaction. Some reactions only occur at a low pH; while some will occur at a higher pH. The concentration and amount of hydrogen chloride is determined to get the desired pH for the reaction. In addition, this compound does not change the chemical properties of the other reactant used.
  
  

Hydrogen Peroxide

• While hydrogen chloride is the strongest common acid and reactant, hydrogen peroxide is the strongest common base and reactant. This compound consists of one hydrogen molecule bonded to a hydrogen molecule. Unlike the hydrogen chloride or water molecule, hydrogen peroxide is not a neutral compound -- it has a negative charge. This negative charge makes it extremely reactive in a chemical reaction.
  
  

Acetic Acid

• Like its name suggest, acetic acid is a common acidic reactant. Unlike hydrogen chloride, acetic acid is a weak acid. Vinegar is made up of 5 percent acetic acid. This is important in chemical reactions, when a chemical reaction requires an acetic compound, but not one as strong as hydrogen chloride. Acetic acid works by partially bonding with the other reactant. The end result is a product that consists of an equal concentration of acetic acid and the reaction product.