Inhibitor Definition in Chemistry

In chemistry, an inhibitor is a substance that delays, slows or prevents a chemical reaction. It may also be called a negative catalyst. Common Misspellings: inhibiter There are three common classes of inhibitors: Corrosion inhibitor: A corrosion inhibitor decreases the rate of oxidation of metal.Enzyme inhibitor: In chemistry and biology, an enzyme inhibitor binds to an enzyme, lessening its activity. Enzyme inhibitors may be reversible or irreversible.Reaction inhibitor: A reaction inhibitor is any substance that decreases the rate of a chemical reaction. Corrosion inhibitors and enzyme inhibitors are both types of reaction inhibitors. Reaction inhibitors are classified by their potency as strong, moderate, or weak. Sources Berg, J.; Tymoczko, J.; Stryer, L. (2002) Biochemistry. W. H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-4955-6.Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Drug Interactions Labeling - Drug Development and Drug Interactions: Table of Substrates, Inhibitors and Inducers. www.fda.gov.Grà ¤fen, H.; Horn, E.-M.; Schlecker, H.; Schindler, H. (2002) Corrosion. Ullmanns Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Wiley-VCH: Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.b01_08