In chemistry, a chemical trap is a chemical compound that is used to detect a certain molecule in cases where:
The concentration of this molecule is below the detection limit, either because it is present in a low concentration in a mixture or because it has poor characteristics for direct detection
The molecule is very reactive (for example cyclobutadiene) and it is not possible to isolate or detect it by spectroscopic means
The molecule is present in a mixture, where other components interfere with its detection (for example an enantiomer present in a racemate)
The trapping agent reacts with the chemical to be detected, giving a product that is more easily detected.
