Predicting Products of

Chemical Reactions

Synthesis Reactions

Example: Sn + Cl2 _

In a synthesis reaction, metals and non metals will form an ionic bond – combining into a new ionic compound. Remember to look at the charges on the cation (metal w/ a positive charge) and anion (non-metal w/ a negative charge) to determine the formula of the product.

SnCl4

Decomposition ReactionsDecomposition reactions involve the breakdown of one compound, into two or more compounds. Many compounds decompose in predictable patterns:

• Carbonates (containing CO32– ion) produce carbon

dioxide and oxide compounds. • Sulfates (SO4

2–) produce sulfur trioxide and oxide compounds. • Hydroxides (OH–) produce water and oxide compounds. • Chlorates (ClO3

–) produce oxygen gas and chloride compounds.• Hydrates (H2O) break up into water and anhydrous compounds. • Binary compounds (just two elements) break down into their elements.

Decomposition Reactions

1. _____NH3

3. _____H2SO4

8. ____Mg(ClO3)2

• Carbonates (containing CO32– ion) produce carbon dioxide and oxide compounds.

• Sulfates (SO42–) produce sulfur trioxide and oxide compounds.

• Hydroxides (OH–) produce water and oxide compounds. • Chlorates (ClO3

–) produce oxygen gas and chloride compounds.• Hydrates (H2O) break up into water and anhydrous compounds. • Binary compounds (just two elements) break down into their elements.

____N2 + _____H2

____SO3 + _____H2O____O2 + _____MgCl2

Single Replacement Reactions

Example: ____Cu + 2 AgNO3

In a single replacement reaction a metal will replace another atom with a positive charge.  Use your periodic table to determine what charge the "new" metal is most likely to have – for Type II metals, simply assign one of the possible charges.

2 Ag + ___Cu(NO3)2

Double Replacement Reactions

1. ____BaCl2 + ____Na2CO3

Double replacement reactions occur when the positive ions of two compounds "switch partners" creating two new compounds. Again, formulas must account for cation/anion charges – Type II metals retain the same charge on the product side.

2 BaCO3 + ___ NaCl

Combustion Reactions

1. ____CH4 + ____O2

Combustion reactions always have hydrocarbons (CxHy) or carbohydrates (CxHyOz) combining with pure oxygen (O2).  The products are carbon dioxide and water.  "Incomplete Combustion" results from a lack of available oxygen, and gives carbon monoxide as a product instead of carbon dioxide.  It can't be predicted as a likely reaction based on the reactants.

_____CO2 + _____H2O

Identify the most likely reaction type; predict the products; and, balance the following equations.

1. ____Al + ____O2

2. ____BaSO4 + ____MgCl2

3. ____ Zn + ____H2SO4

4. ____CrCl3

6. ____Ca(OH)2

7. ____Cu(ClO3)2