"In nature, nothing is created, nothing is lost, everything is transformed." — Antoine Lavoisier, Traité Élémentaire de Chimie (1789)
"In nature, nothing is created, nothing is lost, everything is transformed." — Antoine Lavoisier, Traité Élémentaire de Chimie (1789)
Special Reactions
By default, reactions in Alcyone occur when identical molecules meet, clearing them from the grid and awarding score. However, there are instances where entirely different molecules interact to trigger a reaction. These Special Reactions are the most dramatic and dynamic parts of Alcyone, serving as powerful triggers for a domino effect of reactions. When a special reaction occurs, the participating molecule cells transform into completely new molecules based on their own unique chemical rules.
Special Cells
Cells capable of triggering special reactions are instantly recognizable on the grid. Unlike standard molecule cells that use muted or grayish tones, these cells are highlighted in vibrant, saturated colors:
Red: Monoprotic Acid
Yellow: Diprotic Acid & Acidic Salt
Blue: Monoprotic Base
Violet: Diprotic Base
Purple: Other Special Cells
You can check the specific reaction rules and transformation pathways for any special cell by opening its Info page.
The acids and bases classified as Special Cells in Alcyone primarily feature strong acids and strong bases. As a notable exception, specific fluorine-containing acids are also classified as acids and actively participate in these special reactions.
Hydrolysis Reaction
A molecule cell capable of Hydrolysis will transform both itself and any interacting Water (H2O) molecules into entirely different chemical species. The key strategic advantage here is that every single Water cell connected to that molecule will simultaneously participate in the reaction, triggering a massive sweeping transformation across the grid.
Example — Methyllithium (LiCH3): When hydrolysis is triggered, the Methyllithium cell transforms into Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH), while all connected Water cells are instantly converted into Methane (CH4).
Hydrolysis reactions are generally highly explosive exothermic reactions. In Alcyone, you must always be careful and adapt your strategy, as triggering a Hydrolysis reaction will cause a massive and sudden spike in temperature.
List of Hydrolysis Reactants
| Formula | Name |
|---|---|
| N₂O₃ | Dinitrogen trioxide |
| N₂O₄ | Dinitrogen tetroxide |
| N₂O₅ | Dinitrogen pentoxide |
| LiH | Lithium hydride |
| LiC₂H | Lithium acetylide |
| LiNH₂ | Lithium amide |
| Li₂O | Lithium oxide |
| LiCH₃ | Methyllithium |
| LiC₂H₅ | Ethyllithium |
| LiC₃H₇ | Propyllithium |
| LiC₄H₉ | Butyllithium |
| LiC₆H₅ | Phenyllithium |
| LiC₇H₇ | Benzylithium |
| HSO₃F | Fluorosulfuric acid |
| NaH | Sodium hydride |
| NaNH₂ | Sodium amide |
| Na₂O | Sodium oxide |
| NaCH₃ | Methylsodium |
| NaC₂H₅ | Ethylsodium |
| NaC₃H₇ | Propylsodium |
| NaC₄H₉ | Butylsodium |
| NaC₆H₅ | Phenylsodium |
| NaC₇H₇ | Benzylsodium |
| Cl₂O₇ | Dichlorine heptoxide |
| HSO₃Cl | Chlorosulfuric acid |
| KH | Potassium Hydride |
| KNH₂ | Potassium Amide |
| K₂O | Potassium Oxide |
| KCH₃ | Methylpotassium |
| KC₂H₅ | Ethylpotassium |
| KC₃H₇ | Propylpotassium |
| KC₄H₉ | Butylpotassium |
| KC₆H₅ | Phenylpotassium |
| KC₇H₇ | Benzylpotassium |