Classifying Chemical Reactions

I. 4 General Types of Reactions

                A. Direct combination, decomposition, single replacement,  double replacement

                B. By knowing the type of chemical reaction you can predict the  products

II. Direct Combination Reactions (AKA Synthesis Reactions)

                A. 2 or more reactants come together to form a single product. The single product is always more complex than the reactants.

A + B = AB

III. Decomposition Reactions

                A. The Reactant breaks down into smaller parts

                B. When a complex, single compound is broken down into two or more smaller/ simpler compounds or elements

AB = A + B

IV. Single Replacement Reactions

                A. A single element replaces another element that is part of a compound

                B . A more active element will usually replace a less active element

                               

AB + C = AC + B

V. Double Replacement Reactions

                A. Atoms or ions from 2 different compounds replace each other

                B. This type of reaction has 2 compounds as reactants and 2 compounds as products

AB + CD = AD + CB

Nicole.