What is an implication of a reaction where Keq is less than 1?

When the equilibrium constant (Keq) for a reaction is less than 1, it indicates that at equilibrium, the concentration of reactants is greater than the concentration of products. This reflects a tendency for the reaction to favor the formation of reactants over products. The value of Keq is determined by the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium, and a value less than 1 signifies that the products are not favored.

In the context of chemical equilibrium, a Keq less than 1 suggests that the reaction does not proceed in the direction that would produce more products but rather tends to revert to the reactants. Thus, this condition guides chemists in predicting the direction of the reaction and understanding its dynamics in terms of reactant and product formation at equilibrium.