What is the function of an inhibitor in chemical processes?

An inhibitor's primary function in chemical processes is to slow down or stop a chemical reaction. Inhibitors are substances that, when added to a reaction, reduce the rate at which the reaction proceeds. This can be particularly useful in various industries and applications where controlling the speed of a reaction is essential for safety, quality, or efficiency.

Inhibitors work by interfering with the active sites of catalysts or by binding to reactants in a way that prevents them from effectively colliding and reacting. This action helps stabilize products and can prevent unwanted reactions from occurring, such as degradation or corrosion in coatings and other materials.

The role of inhibitors contrasts sharply with catalysts, which actually increase the rate of chemical reactions. Thus, while both are important in chemical processes, an inhibitor specifically serves to decelerate reactions, making option C the accurate choice. The other options describe functions that are either contradictory to the role of an inhibitor or not related to its purpose.