What is chemical reaction and its type?

Definition:
A chemical reaction is a process that is usually characterized by a chemical change
in which the starting materials (reactants) are different from the products. Chemical
reactions tend to involve the motion of electrons, leading to the formation and
breaking of chemical bonds. There are several different types of chemical reactions
and more than one way of classifying them. Here are some common reaction types.

However, if you are asked to name the main 4, 5 or 6 types of chemical reactions,
here is how they are categorized.

Direct Combination or Synthesis Reaction

In a synthesis reaction two or more chemical species combine to form a more
complex product.

A + B AB

The combination of iron and sulfur to form iron (II) sulfide is an example of a
synthesis reaction:

8 Fe + S8 8 FeS
Learn More About Synthesis Reactions
What Are Types Of Chemical Reactions :
Analysis Reaction

Chemical Decomposition or

In a decomposition reaction a compound is broken into smaller chemical species.

AB A + B

The electrolysis of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas is an example of a

decomposition reaction:

2 H2O 2 H2 + O2

Single Displacement or Substitution Reaction

A substitution or single displacement reaction is characterized by one element
being displaced from a compound by another element.

A + BC AC + B

An example of a substitution reaction occurs when zinc combines with hydrochloric

acid. The zinc replaces the hydrogen:

Zn + 2 HCl ZnCl2 + H2

Metathesis or Double Displacement Reaction

In a double displacement or metathesis reaction two compounds exchange bonds or
ions in order to form different compounds.

AB + CD AD + CB

An example of a double displacement reaction occurs between sodium chloride and

silver nitrate to form sodium nitrate and silver chloride.

NaCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) NaNO3(aq) + AgCl(s)

Acid-Base Reaction

An acid-base reaction is type of double displacement reaction that occurs between

an acid and a base. The H+ ion in the acid reacts with the OH- ion in the base to
form water and an ionic salt:

HA + BOH H2O + BA

The reaction between hydrobromic acid (HBr) and sodium hydroxide is an example
of an acid-base reaction:

HBr + NaOH NaBr + H2O

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Oxidation-Reduction or Redox Reaction
In a redox reaction the oxidation numbers of atoms are changed. Redox reactions
may involve the transfer of electrons between chemical species.

The reaction that occurs when In which I2 is reduced to I- and S2O32- (thiosulfate
anion) is oxidized to S4O62- provides an example of a redox reaction:

2 S2O32(aq) + I2(aq) S4O62(aq) + 2 I(aq)

Combustion
A combustion reaction is a type of redox reaction in which a combustible material
combines with an oxidizer to form oxidized products and generate heat (exothermic

reaction). Usually in a combustion reaction oxygen combines with another

compound to form carbon dioxide and water. An example of a combustion reaction
is the burning of naphthalene:

C10H8 + 12 O2 10 CO2 + 4 H2O

Learn More About Combustion Reactions

Isomerization
In an isomerization reaction, the stuctural arrangement of a compound is changed
but its net atomic composition remains the same.

Hydrolysis Reaction
A hydrolysis reaction involves water. The general form for a hydrolysis reaction is:

X-(aq) + H2O(l) <--> HX(aq) + OH-(aq) etc.

Types of chemical reactions

Limiting Reactants and Percent Yield Energy changes in chemical reactions
Limiting Reactants and Percent Yield
in chemical reactions

General Chemistry Energy changes

Book Cover Introduction v d e

Units: Matter Atomic Structure Bonding Reactions Solutions Phases of Matter
Equilibria Kinetics Thermodynamics The Elements
Appendices: Periodic Table Units Constants Equations Reduction Potentials
Elements and their Properties
Chemical reactions can be divided into several classes each having similar
characteristics. These different types of reactions will be discussed in greater detail
throughout the book. You will find that almost every reaction you see can fall into
one of these categories, so make sure that you understand them.

Contents [hide]
1

Synthesis Reactions

Decomposition Reactions

Single Replacement Reactions

Double Replacement Reactions

Double Displacement

5.1

Precipitation

5.2

Acid-Base Neutralization

Combustion

Organic Reactions

Redox

Synthesis Reactions[edit]
Helpful Hint!
Synthesis reactions always yield one product. Reversing a synthesis reaction will
give you a decomposition reaction.
The general form of a synthesis reaction is A + B AB. Synthesis reactions "put
things together".

2\hbox{H}_{2(g)} + \hbox{O}_{2(g)} \to 2\hbox{H}_2\hbox{O}_{(l)} This is the

most well-known example of a synthesis reactionthe formation of water via the
fusion of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.
2\hbox{Na}_{(s)} + \hbox{Cl}_{2(g)} \to 2\hbox{NaCl}_{(s)} Another example
of a synthesis reaction is the formation of sodium chloride (table salt).
Because of the very high reactivities of sodium metal and chlorine gas, this reaction
releases a tremendous amount of heat and light energy. Recall that atoms release
energy as they become stable, and consider the octet rule when determining why
this reaction is so favorable.

Decomposition Reactions[edit]
These are the opposite of synthesis reactions, with the format AB A + B.
Decomposition reactions "take things apart". Just as synthesis reactions can only
form one product, decomposition reactions can only start with one reactant.
Compounds that are unstable will decompose quickly without outside assistance.

2\hbox{H}_2\hbox{O}_{(l)} \xrightarrow{electricity} 2\hbox{H}_{2(g)} +

\hbox{O}_{2(g)} One example is the electrolysis of water (passing water through
electrical current) to form hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.
2\hbox{H}_2\hbox{O}_{2(l)} \to 2\hbox{H}_{2}\hbox{O}_{(l)} + \hbox{O}_{2(g)}
Hydrogen peroxide slowly decomposes into water and oxygen because it is
somewhat unstable. The process is sped up by the energy from light, so hydrogen
peroxide is stored in dark containers to slow down the decomposition.
\hbox{H}_2\hbox{CO}_{3(aq)} \to \hbox{H}_{2}\hbox{O}_{(l)} +
\hbox{C}\hbox{O}_{2(g)}
Carbonic acid is the carbonation that is dissolved in
soda. It decomposes into carbon dioxide and water, which is why an opened drink
will not lose its fizz.
Information
Decomposition, aside from happening spontaneously in unstable compounds,
occurs under three conditions: thermal, electrolytic, and catalytic. Thermal
decomposition occurs when a substance is heated. Electrolytic decomposition, as
shown above, is the result of an electric current. Catalytic decomposition happens
because a catalyst breaks apart a substance.
Single Replacement Reactions[edit]
Single replacement reactions, also called single displacement, swap one component
with another, in the format AB + C AC + B.

Adding hydrochloric acid to zinc will cause a gas to bubble out:

\hbox{Zn}_{(s)} + 2\hbox{HCl}_{(aq)} \to \hbox{ZnCl}_{2(aq)} +

\hbox{H}_{2(g)}
Double Replacement Reactions[edit]
In these reactions, also known as "double displacement reactions", two compounds
swap components, in the format AB + CD AD + CB

Double Displacement[edit]
this is also called an "exchange". Here are the examples below:

1.) HCl + NaOH ----> NaCl + H2O

Precipitation[edit]
Wikipedia-logo.png
Wikipedia has related information at Precipitation (chemistry)

A precipitation reaction occurs when an ionic substance comes out of solution and
forms an insoluble (or slightly soluble) solid. The solid which comes out of solution is
called a precipitate. This can occur when two soluble salts (ionic compounds) are
mixed and form an insoluble onethe precipitate.

\hbox{2Pb}(\hbox{NO}_3)_{2(aq)} + heat_{(aq)} \to \hbox{2PbO}_{(s)} +

4\hbox{NO}_{2(aq)}+{2O}_2 An example is lead nitrate mixed with potassium
iodide, which forms a bright yellow precipitate of lead iodide.
\hbox{Pb}_{(aq)}^{2+} + 2\hbox{NO}_{3(aq)}^- + 2\hbox{K}_{(aq)}^+ +
2\hbox{I}_{(aq)}^- \to \hbox{PbI}_{2(s)} + 2\hbox{K}_{(aq)}^+ +
2\hbox{NO}_{3(aq)}^- Note that the lead iodide is formed as a solid. The
previous equation is written in molecular form, which is not the best way of
describing the reaction. Each of the elements really exist in solution as individual
ions, not bonded to each other (as in potassium iodide crystals). If we write the
above as an ionic equation, we get a much better idea of what is actually
happening.
\hbox{Pb}_{(aq)}^{2+} + 2\hbox{I}_{(aq)}^- \to \hbox{PbI}_{2(s)} Notice the
like terms on both sides of the equation. These are called spectator ions because
they do not participate in the reaction. They can be ignored, and the net ionic
equation is written.
In the solution, there exists both lead and iodide ions. Because lead iodide is
insoluble, they spontaneously crystallise and form the precipitate.

Acid-Base Neutralization[edit]
In simple terms, an acid is a substance which can lose a H+ ion (i.e. a proton) and a
base is a substance which can accept a proton. When equal amounts of an acid and
base react, they neutralize each other, forming species which aren't as acidic or
basic.

\hbox{HCl}_{(aq)} + \hbox{NaOH}_{(aq)} \to \hbox{H}_2\hbox{O}_{(l)} +

\hbox{NaCl}_{(aq)}
For example, when hydrochloric acid and sodium
hydroxide react, they form water and sodium chloride (table salt).
\hbox{H}^+_{(aq)} + \hbox{OH}^-_{(aq)} \to \hbox{H}_2\hbox{O}_{(l)} Again,
we get a clearer picture of what's happening if we write a net ionic equation.
Acid base reactions often happen in aqueous solution, but they can also occur in the
gaseous state. Acids and bases will be discussed in much greater detail in the acids
and bases section.

Combustion[edit]

The combustion of methane (releasing heat and light)

Combustion, better known as burning, is the combination of a substance with
oxygen. The products are carbon dioxide, water, and possible other waste products.
Combustion reactions release large amounts of heat. C3H8, better known as
propane, undergoes combustion. The balanced equation is:

\hbox{C}_3\hbox{H}_8 + 5\hbox{O}_2 \to 3\hbox{CO}_2 + 4\hbox{H}_2\hbox{O}

Combustion is similar to a decomposition reaction, except that oxygen and heat are
required for it to occur. If there is not enough oxygen, the reaction may not occur.
Sometimes, with limited oxygen, the reaction will occur, but it produces carbon
monoxide (CO) or even soot. In that case, it is called incomplete combustion. If the
substances being burned contain atoms other than hydrogen and oxygen, then
waste products will also form. Coal is burned for heating and energy purposes, and
it contains sulfur. As a result, sulfur dioxide is released, which is a pollutant. Coal
with lower sulfur content is more desirable, but more expensive, because it will
release less of the sulfur-based pollutants.

Organic Reactions[edit]

This is carboxylic acid. All functional groups end with an "R"a placeholder for the
rest of the molecule.
Organic reactions occur between organic molecules (molecules containing carbon
and hydrogen). Since there is a virtually unlimited number of organic molecules, the
scope of organic reactions is very large. However, many of the characteristics of
organic molecules are determined by functional groupssmall groups of atoms that
react in predictable ways.

Another key concept in organic reactions is Lewis basicity. Parts of organic

molecules can be electrophillic (electron-loving) or nucleophillic (nucleus, or positive
loving). Nucleophillic regions have an excess of electronsthey act as Lewis bases
whereas electrophillic areas are electron deficient and act as Lewis acids. The
nucleophillic and electrophillic regions attract and react with each other (needless to
say, this has inspired many terrible organic chemistry jokes).

Organic reactions are beyond the scope of this book, and are covered in more detail
in Organic Chemistry. However, most organic substances can undergo replacement
reactions and combustion reactions, as you have already learned.