Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Double-displacement reactions, also known as double replacement or metathesis reactions, occur when the cations and anions of two different compounds switch places, resulting in the formation of two new compounds.
Related terms
Acid-base reactions: These are a type of double-displacement reaction where an acid reacts with a base to form water and a salt.
Precipitation reactions: These occur when two aqueous solutions combine to form an insoluble solid called a precipitate.
Redox reactions: In redox (oxidation-reduction) reactions, electrons are transferred between species. This type of reaction does not fall under double-displacement reactions.