In a chemical double displacement reaction (double replacement, metathesis, or ion exchange reactions) two compounds swap ions, effectively displacing each other to form two new compounds, thus the name. The general formula is AX + BY → BX + AY. For example:

Think of it as switching dance partners.

2NaCl_(aq) + CuSO_4(aq) → Na₂SO_4(aq) + CuCl_2(solid)

CaCl_2(aq) + 2AgNO_3(aq) → Ca(NO₃)_2(aq) + 2AgCl_(solid)

One of the compounds formed is usually a precipitate, an insoluble gas that bubbles out of the solution or an insoluble solid, or a molecular compound, usually water. Since one of these conditions must always be met, a solubility table (or general knowledge of solubility rules) can be used in advance to predict whether two aqueous reactants will react or not. A magnified crystal of a salt (halite/sodium chloride) In chemistry, a salt is any ionic compound composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, so that the product is neutral and without a net charge. ... Copper (II) sulfate (CuSO4) is the most common copper salt, made by the action of sulfuric acid on the base copper oxide. ... Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Copper forms two stable chlorides: Copper(I) chloride (cuprous chloride), CuCl, mineral name nantokite. ... R-phrases S-phrases , , RTECS number EV9800000, anhydrous EV9810000, dihydrate EV9830000, hexahydrate Supplementary data page Structure & properties n, εr, etc. ... R-phrases , S-phrases , , , , Flash point non-flammable Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Silver chloride (also called silver(I) chloride) is a chemical compound with chemical formula AgCl and is composed of one silver and one chlorine molecule. ... A gas is one of the four main phases of matter (after solid and liquid, and followed by plasma), that subsequently appear as a solid material is subjected to increasingly higher temperatures. ... In jewelry, a solid gold piece is the alternative to gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry. ... In science, a molecule is the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its chemical composition and properties. ... A girl in a swimming pool Water (from the Old English waeter; c. ...

A neutralization reaction is a specific type of double displacement reaction. Neutralization occurs when equal amounts of acid react with equal amounts of a base. A neutralization reaction creates a solution of salt and water, for example: Neutralization is a chemical reaction, also called a water forming reaction, in which an acid and a base or alkali (soluble base) react and produce a salt and water. ... It has been suggested that strong acid be merged into this article or section. ... A base is: in mathematics: A number that is raised to a power, or base of an exponential function. ... A magnified crystal of a salt (halite/sodium chloride) In chemistry, a salt is any ionic compound composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, so that the product is neutral and without a net charge. ... A girl in a swimming pool Water (from the Old English waeter; c. ...

HCl_(aq) + NaOH_(aq) → NaCl_(aq) + H₂O_(liquid)

Another subcategory of this reaction type features acids reacting with carbonates/bicarbonates. These reactions always yield carbonic acid as a product, which in turn automatically decomposes into carbon dioxide and water. An example below is the common science fair "volcano" reaction - acetic acid with sodium bicarbonate: The chemical substance hydrochloric acid is the aqueous (water-based) solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas. ... Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda or lye in North America, is a caustic metallic base used in industry (mostly as a strong chemical base) in the manufacture of paper, textiles, and detergents. ... Sodium chloride, also known as common salt, table salt, or halite, is a chemical compound with formula NaCl. ... Carbon dioxide is an atmospheric gas comprised of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. ... A girl in a swimming pool Water (from the Old English waeter; c. ... Flash point 43 Â°C R-phrases , S-phrases , , , U.S. Permissible exposure limit (PEL) 10 ppm Supplementary data page Structure & properties n, εr, etc. ... Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or sodium hydrogen carbonate, also known as baking soda and bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble white anhydrous or crystalline chemical compound, with a slight alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate. ...

CH₃COOH _(aq) + NaHCO_{3 (s)} → CH₃COONa _(aq) + CO_{2 (g)} + H₂O _(l)

Unlike single displacement reactions, which are always redox, double displacement reactions never feature a redox process. Redox reactions include all chemical processes in which atoms have their oxidation number (oxidation state) changed. ...