A novel process and apparatus is disclosed for performing chemical reactions. Highly compressed gaseous streams such as H2, CO, CO2, H2O, O2, or CH4 are raised to Mach speeds to form supersonic jets incorporating shockwaves. Two or more such jets are physically collided together to form a localized reaction zone where the energy from the shockwaves causes endothermic reactions wherein the chemical bonds of the reactant gases are broken. Between and among reactants molecular surface interaction and molecular surface chemistry take place. In the ensuing exothermic reactions a desired new chemical product is formed and this product is locked into a lower state of enthalpy (state of energy of formation) through adiabatic cooling by means of a free jet expansion.