11.7: Single Replacement Reactions - Chemistry LibreTexts

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Single-Replacement Reactions

A single-replacement reaction is a reaction in which one element replaces a similar element in a compound. The general form of a single-replacement (also called single-displacement) reaction is:

\[\ce{A} + \ce{BC} \rightarrow \ce{AC} + \ce{B}\nonumber \]

In this general reaction, element \(\ce{A}\) is a metal and replaces element \(\ce{B}\) (also a metal) in the compound. When the element that is doing the replacing is a nonmetal, it must replace another nonmetal in a compound, and the general equation becomes:

\[\ce{Y} + \ce{XZ} \rightarrow \ce{XY} + \ce{Z}\nonumber \]

(Where \(\ce{Y}\) is a nonmetal and replaces the nonmetal \(\ce{Z}\) in the compound with \(\ce{X}\).)

Metal Replacement

Magnesium is a more reactive metal than copper. When a strip of magnesium metal is placed in an aqueous solution of copper (II) nitrate, it replaces the copper. The products of the reaction are aqueous magnesium nitrate and solid copper metal.

\[\ce{Mg} \left( s \right) + \ce{Cu(NO_3)_2} \left( aq \right) \rightarrow \ce{Mg(NO_3)_2} \left( aq \right) + \ce{Cu} \left( s \right)\nonumber \]

This subcategory of single-replacement reactions is called a metal replacement reaction because it is a metal that is being replaced (copper).

Hydrogen Replacement

Many metals react easily with acids and when they do so, one of the products of the reaction is hydrogen gas. Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce aqueous zinc chloride and hydrogen (figure below).

\[\ce{Zn} \left( s \right) + 2 \ce{HCl} \left( aq \right) \rightarrow \ce{ZnCl_2} \left( aq \right) + \ce{H_2} \left( g \right)\nonumber \]

In a hydrogen replacement reaction, the hydrogen in the acid is replaced by an active metal.

Hand holding a test tube with a clear fluid beside a black and white 100-folder box, on a yellow surface.
Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Zinc metal reacts with hydrochloric acid to give off hydrogen gas in a single-displacement reaction. (Public Domain; User: Chemicalinterest/Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia)

Some metals are so reactive that they are capable of replacing the hydrogen in water. The products of such a reaction are the metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas. All group 1 metals undergo this type of reaction. Sodium reacts vigorously with water to produce aqueous sodium hydroxide and hydrogen (see figure below).

\[2 \ce{Na} \left( s \right) + 2 \ce{H_2O} \left( l \right) \rightarrow 2 \ce{NaOH} \left( aq \right) + \ce{H_2} \left( g \right)\nonumber \]

A geyser erupts, spewing water and steam into the air, with a camera on a tripod capturing the scene. The sky is partly cloudy, and there are hills in the background.
Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Sodium metal reacts vigorously with water, giving off hydrogen gas. A large piece of sodium will often generate so much heat that the hydrogen will ignite. (Public Domain; User:Ajhalls/Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia)

Halogen Replacement

The element chlorine reacts with an aqueous solution of sodium bromide to produce aqueous sodium chloride and elemental bromine:

\[\ce{Cl_2} \left( g \right) + 2 \ce{NaBr} \left( aq \right) \rightarrow 2 \ce{NaCl} \left( aq \right) + \ce{Br_2} \left( l \right)\nonumber \]

The reactivity of the halogen group (group 17) decreases from top to bottom within the group. Fluorine is the most reactive halogen, while iodine is the least. Since chlorine is above bromine, it is more reactive than bromine and can replace it in a halogen replacement reaction.

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