Double-Displacement

Reaction Study Guide

Ammonium chloride sodium hydroxide react to form ammonium
hydroxide and sodium chloride as products. This is an example of
a double-displacement reaction.

In chemistry, there are multiple terms used to describe a reaction based

on the nature of its reactants. When one of the reactants is a salt (for
example the reaction between sodium hydroxide and ammonium
chloride), the reaction is termed a salt metathesis reaction. When one of
the reactants doesn’t dissolve in the solvent, the reaction is termed a
double decomposition reaction.

A double-displacement reaction occurs

when the positive and negative ions of
two ionic compounds switch places to
form two entirely new compounds in
an aqueous solution. These compounds
can come in the form of precipitates,
gasses, or molecular compounds.

The general form of a double-displacement reaction is described by the

following equation:
 AB + CD = AD + BC

TYPES OF DOUBLE-DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS

There are two types of double displacement reactions: precipitation and

neutralization.

 Precipitation reaction: In a precipitation reaction, the ions of the

reactants compound interchange to form new compounds.
However, one of the compounds in these reactions is insoluble in
the solvent.
 Neutralization reaction: Neutralization reactions occur between
acids and bases and form a salt and a gas. For a neutralization
reaction to move in a forward direction, the acids and bases
involved must be strong.

TIPS FOR RECOGNIZING A DOUBLE-

DISPLACEMENT REACTION

Let’s take a look at some pointers that will help you identify a double-
displacement reaction:

 The first thing you should see in a reaction is whether the anions
and cations of reactants are being exchanged. You can do this by
taking note of the products that are formed.
 You can also identify a double-displacement reaction through the
state of matter of its reactants. If the reactants are in an aqueous
 solution, and a precipitate is formed as one of the products, the
reaction is a double-displacement reaction.

DOUBLE DISPLACEMENT REACTION EXAMPLES

Let’s look at some common double-displacement reactions:

 Sodium hydroxide (a base) reacts with ammonium chloride (salt)

to form sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, and water.

 NaOH + NH₄Cl = NaCl + NH₄OH

 Silver nitrate reacts with sodium chloride to form silver chloride

and sodium nitrate.

AgNO₃ + NaCl = AgCl + NaNO₃

CONCLUSION

 A double-displacement reaction occurs when the positive and

negative ions of two ionic compounds switch places to form two
entirely new compounds.
 A double-displacement reaction must occur in an aqueous solution.
 The compounds formed in a double-displacement reaction can
come in the form of precipitates, gasses, or molecular compounds.
  A general formula for a double-displacement reaction is written as:
AB + CD = AD + BC.
 Examples of double-displacement reactions include:
 Sodium hydroxide (a base) reacts with ammonium chloride (salt)
to form sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, and water.
 NaOH + NH₄Cl = NaCl + NH₄OH

 Silver nitrate reacts with sodium chloride to form silver chloride

and sodium nitrate.
 AgNO₃ + NaCl = AgCl + NaNO₃

 A precipitation reaction is a form of double-displacement reaction

where one of the products is insoluble in the solvent.
 A neutralization reaction is a form of double-displacement reaction
that takes place between acids and bases.

FAQs

1. What happens when ammonium chloride reacts with sodium

hydroxide?

NaOH + NH₄Cl = NaCl + NH₄OH

2. What type of reaction are NH₄Cl and NaOH?

Double-displacement reaction.