What is "intermediate compound"

Intermediate \In`ter*me"di*ate\, n.

1. A person who intermediates between others, especially in negotiations; an intermediary; a mediator.

2. Something that is intermediate.

3. Specifically: (Chem.) A compound which is produced in the course of a chemical synthesis, which is not itself the final product, but is used in further reactions which produce the final product; also called synthetic intermediate, intermediate compound or intermediate product; -- contrasted to starting material and end product or final product. There may be many different intermediates between the starting material and end product in the course of a complex synthesis; as, many industrial chemicals are produced primarily to be used as intermediates in other syntheses.

   Note: The term has the same meaning with respect to intermediate compounds produced in a biosynthetic pathway in living organisms.