TIGUELO, MARIA ANGELICA M.

MTCHEM1
BSMT 1I

CHEMICAL REACTIONS

Chemical reaction is defined as the changes in substances, in which one or more substances are
converted into a different substance (Jones, 2005; Atkins & Jones, 2010; Silberberg, 2016; Smith, 2019).
The variables involved in this process are the reactants on the left, which are the substances that will
undergo change or break in bonds, and products on the right, which are the newly formed substance or
bond (Atkins & Jones, 2010; Smith, 2019).

In chemical reactions, atoms are neither created nor destroyed, but they exchange partners; thus, creating
a new form of matter, which is commonly known as compound (Atkins & Jones, 2010; Burdge & Driessen,
2017; Smith, 2019). The principal evidence for this is that there is no change in the mass of products of the
reaction that occurred in sealed containers. The law of conservation of mass further affirms this, describing
the constant mass of the reactants and products in a chemical reaction.

An important aspect of chemical reaction is the symbol (yield arrow) which indicates or represents the
reaction itself. The product of the chemical reaction is
referred to as the chemical equation, which is already
balanced, and representing the qualitative and
quantitative changes in the process (Atkins & Jones,
2010). Additionally, the chemical equations contain
the chemical formula of the chemical reaction, which
is commonly represented by a skeletal equation,
revealing the barebones of the chemical reaction.

TYPES OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS

A. SYNTHESIS (A + B → AB)
A reaction that is also known as combination reaction or composition reaction, in which two or
more substances, elements, or compounds combine in order to form a new and single substance,
that should always be a compound (Alumaga, et al., 2014; Smith, 2019). Additionally, organic
synthesis is a special type of this reaction in which both the reactants and products are composed
of organic substances (Hernandez, 2017).

Examples:
1. N2(g) + 3H2(g) → 2NH3(g)
2. 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2SO3(g)

B. DECOMPOSITION (AB → A + B)
This type of reaction is the reverse of synthesis, in which a compound reactant breaks down to two
or more simpler products (Alumaga, et al., 2014; Smith, 2019). This type is consisted of four sub-
types which are the following:
 a. Thermal decomposition – the most common type of decomposition which is caused
by a rise in temperature. If this reaction occurs quickly, explosion may occur.

Ex: 2 NH4NO3 (s) heat→ 4H2O (g) + 2 N2 (g) + O2

b. Photochemical decomposition – is a reaction which involves and is caused by light

Ex: 2 AgBr (s) heat→ 2 Ag (s) + Br2 (g)

c. Electrolytic decomposition (electrolysis) – is the reaction done for ionic compounds

through molten state or in solution.

Ex: PbBr2 (aq) electricity→ Pb (s) + Br2 (aq)

Additionally, catalysts, in the form of other chemicals, can be used to quicken the rate or process or
chemical decomposition (Alumaga, et al., 2014).

C. SINGLE DISPLACEMENT (C + AB → CB + A)
This is a subtype of replacement reactions, which is also known as single replacement reaction or
substitution reaction (Alumaga, et al., 2014).In this reaction, the less active element in a reactant is
replaced by another element from the same reactant to form a different compound as the product
(Smith, 2019).

Examples:
1. Cl2 (g) + 2KI (aq) → I2 (s) + 2KCl (aq)
2. Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

D. METATHESIS (AB + CD → AD + CB)

This type of chemical reaction is also known as double replacement reaction or ionic reaction, in
which two compounds in a reactant exchange ions in order to produce a two different compounds.
Additionally, this type of reaction involves combination, displacement, and decomposition (Chieh,
2019).

Examples:
1. NaCl (aq) + AgNO3 (aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3 (aq)
2. MgSO4 + BaCl2 → MgCl2 + BaSO4 (s)

E. NEUTRALIZATION REACTION (AB + CD → AD + CB)

This is a type of metathesis or double replacement reaction that involves acids and bases in which
the product formed from the reaction is a neutral water molecule and salt (ionic compound)
(Alumaga, et al., 2014; Smith, 2019; Chieh, 2019).

Examples:
1. HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O
2. H2SO4 (aq) + 2KOH (aq) → K2SO4 (aq) + 2H2O (aq)
 F. OXIDATION-REDUCTION
This type of reaction is also known as redox reaction,
which involves the transfer of electrons. The oxidizing
agent (reactant) loses electron, while the reducing agent
(reactant) gains electron undergoes reduction (Burdge &
Driessen, 2017; Smith, 2019; Brar, Breitenbuecher, &
Spohrer, 2019).

Examples:
1. Fe(s) + O2 (g) → Fe2O3 (g)
2. Fe2O3 (s) + 2Al (s) → Al2O3 (s) + 2Fe (l)

G. COMBUSTION
This type of reaction always includes oxygen (O2) and heat which makes it exothermic, meaning, it
release energy through light and/or heat (Brar, Breitenbuecher, & Spohrer, 2019). The most
common type of combustion is the one that also involves carbon-containing substances in oxygen.
This type then produces carbon dioxide and water vapor (Brudge & Jones, 2017).

Examples:
1. CH4 (g) + O2 (g) → CO2 (g) + H2O (g)
2. 2C8H18 (l) + 25O2 (g) → 16CO2 (g) + 18H2O (g)

REFERENCES:

Alumaga, M. J. B., Antero, E. S., Joaquin, C. C., Lagunzad, C. G. B., Crisostomo, R. M., Padua, A.
L…Rabago, L. M. (2014). Science and Technology 10. (pp. 370-375). Philippines: Vibal Group, Inc.
Atkins, P. & Jones, L. (2010). Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight with Unique International Edition
Problem Sets. (Fifth Edition). New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.
Brar, L., Breitenbuecher, C. & Spohrer, C. (2019). Oxidation-Reduction Reactions. Retrieved from:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Analytical_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Analytical_
Chemistry)/Electrochemistry/Redox_Chemistry/Oxidation-Reduction_Reactions.
Burdge, J. & Driessen, M. (2017). Introductory Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach. (pp. 346, 348, 364,
367-368). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Chieh, P. C. (2019, June 6). Metathesis Reactions. Retrieved from:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Inorganic_C
hemistry)/Chemical_Reactions/Chemical_Reactions_1/Metathesis_Reactions.
Hernandez, J. A. (2017). Chemistry Essentials: Organic and Inorganic. New York, NY: Delve Publishing.
Jones, A. (2005). Chemistry: An Introduction for Medical and Health Sciences. (p. 11). England: John Wiley
& Sons Ltd.
Silberberg, M. S. (2016). General Chemistry 1&2. (p. 4). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Smith, J. G. (2019). General, Organic, & Biological Chemistry. (Fourth Edition, pp. 138-156). New York,
NY: McGraw-Hill Education.