Single Replacement Reactions

Now let's look at a slightly more complicated type of reaction. In the reaction shown here

Zn + CuCl₂ ZnCl₂ + Cu

the zinc is replacing the copper in the compound. This is called a single replacement or single displacement reaction.

In the next equation chlorine is replacing bromine in the compound.

Cl₂ + NaBr

NaCl + Br₂

_{In the next equation magnesium is replacing or displacing hydrogen in the
compound.}

Mg + HCl MgCl₂ + H₂

_{Notice that, in each case, the reactants were an element and a compound and the
products were an element and a compound. The element that was by itself becomes part of a
compound and one of the elements that was in a compound comes out to be by itself. This is
the essence of a single replacement reaction.

Again, these equations need to be balanced so take a moment to do that.

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E-mail instructor:
Eden Francis

Clackamas Community College

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