Single Displacement or Substitution Reaction

Single Displacement or Substitution Reaction A single displacement reaction or substitution reaction is a common and important type of chemical reaction. A substitution or single displacement reaction is characterized by one element being displaced from a compound by another element.A BC → AC B A single displacement reaction is a specific type of oxidation-reduction reaction. An element or ion is replaced by another in a compound. Single Displacement Reaction Examples An example of a substitution reaction occurs when zinc combines with hydrochloric acid. The zinc replaces the hydrogen:Zn 2 HCl → ZnCl2 H2 Here is another example of a single displacement reaction: 3 AgNO3 (aq) Al (s) → Al(NO3)3 (aq) 3 Ag (s) How To Recognize a Substitution Reaction You can recognize this type of reaction by looking for a trade between one cation or anion in a compound with a pure substance in the reactants side of the equation, forming a new compound in the products side of the reaction. If, however, two compounds appear to trade partners, then youre looking at a double displacement reaction rather than a single displacement.