Manio, Lyrah B.

BSMT-1I
07/24/2019
Types of Chemical Reactions
1. Synthesis (or Combination) Reactions- In this type of reaction, two or more reactants combine
to form a single product.
A+B C
- Synthesis can be a combination of metal and a nonmetal, forming an ionic compound.
Example:
2Mg(s) + O2 (g) 2MgO(s)
- It can also be a combination of nonmetals, producing a covalent compound like
ammonia.
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) 2NH3 (g)
- It can also be an addition of two compounds such as the reaction between sulfuric
trioxide and water, forming sulfuric acid.
SO3 (g) + H2 O(l) H2 SO4 (aq)

2. Decomposition (or Analysis) Reaction- This type of reaction is the reverse of synthesis
reactions. The process involves only one reactant dissociating into two or more products. The
products may be the constituent elements of the reactant or simpler compounds derived from the
reactant.
C A+B
Example: Decomposition of an ionic compound like copper (II) chloride into a metal and nonmetal.
2CuCl2 (s) 2Cu(s) + Cl2 (g)
Example: Decomposition of a covalent compound into its nonmetallic elements like when water
undergoes electrolysis.
2H2 O(l) 2H2 (g) + O2 (g)

3. Single Displacement (or Substitution) Reactions- Occur between atoms and compounds; the
atoms replaces another in the compound producing a new compound and the replaced atom.
AB + X AX + B
Example: The replacement of copper by zinc in copper sulfite
Zn(s) + CuSO4 (aq) ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)
Example: The formation of solid lead sulfate (precipitation by sodium sulfate)
Pb2+ (aq) + Na2 SO4 (aq) PbSO4 (s) + 2Na+ (aq)
4. Metathesis (or Double Displacement) Reactions- Occurs when two ionic compounds exchange
cations and anions with each other.
AX + BY AY + BX
Example: Reaction between silver nitrate (AgNO3 ) and sodium chloride (NaCl) to form an insoluble
silver chloride (AgCl) precipitate and sodium nitrate (NaNO3 )
AgNO3 (aq) + NaCl(aq) NaNO3 (aq) + AgCl(s)
Example: Reaction of an acid (hydrochloric acid) and a base (sodium hydroxide) to produce water
and salt.
HCl(aq) +NaOH(aq) H2 O(l) + NaCl(aq)
5. Combustion Reaction- A complete combustion reaction occurs when a fuel reacts quickly with
oxygen (O2 ) and produces carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and water (H2 O). The general equation for a
complete combustion reaction is: Fuel + 𝐎𝟐 → 𝐂𝐎𝟐 + 𝐇𝟐 𝐎

Example: The combustion of methanol (rubbing alcohol)

CH3OH + O2 → CO2 + 2H2O + Heat
Example: The combustion of magnesium metal
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO + Heat

6. Oxidation- Reduction (Redox Reaction)- change in oxidation states of atoms

Oxidation- the process in which an atom loses an electron, resulting in an increase in the
oxidation number of that atom.
Reduction- the process where an atom gains an electron resulting in a decrease in its
oxidation number.
Oxidation Number- indicates the number of electrons that have been removed or added
to get to its new state.
Reducing Agent- substance that is oxidized
Oxidizing Agent- substance that is reduced

Example: Reaction between metallic magnesium and aqueous solution of copper sulfate (CuSO4 )
Mg(s) + CuSO4 (aq) MgSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)
┬ ┬
bMg 0
Cu0
Example: Magnesium reacts with chlorine to produce magnesium chloride
Mg(s) + Cl2 (g) Mg 2+ (s) + 2Cl− (s), as MgCl2
7. Neutralization Reaction- The reaction between an acid and a base. The ionic compound
produced in the reaction is called a salt. The general form of a neutralization reaction of a strong
acid and a metal hydroxide that provides the hydroxide ion, a strong base, in water is
 Acid + metal hydroxide salt + water

Example: Reaction between nitric acid and barium hydroxide

2HNO3 (aq) + Ba(OH)2(aq) Ba(NO3 )2 (aq) + 2H2 O(l)

Example: H2 SO4 (aq) + 2NaOH(aq) 2H2 O(l) + Na2 SO4 (aq)

References:
Bayquen, A. V., & Peña, G. (2016). Exploring Life Through Sciences: General Chemistry 1. QC:
Phoenix Publising House, Inc.
Atkins, P., & Jones, L. (2010). Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight. NY: W.H. Freeman and
Company.
Caret, R. L., Denniston, K. J., & Topping J. (1993). Principles and Applications of Inorganic and
Organic Biological Chemistry. Wm. C. Brown Publishers.
Burdge, J., & Driessen, M. (2017). Introductory Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach. NY: Mc Graw
Hill Education.
101 Class Notes. (n.d.). Combustion Reaction. Retrieved from
http://www.iun.edu/~cpanhd/C101webnotes/chemical%20reactions/combustion.html