Reaction pathways describe the series of steps that occur during a chemical reaction, illustrating how reactants transform into products. Each step involves breaking and forming bonds, and the pathway can vary based on factors like temperature, pressure, and the presence of catalysts. These pathways can be visualized using energy diagrams, which show the energy changes throughout the reaction. The highest point on the diagram represents the transition state, where the system has the highest energy. Understanding reaction pathways helps chemists predict reaction outcomes and design more efficient processes in fields like pharmaceuticals and materials science.