Double Replacement (DR) AX + BY BX + AY

Single Replacement (SR) A + BX B + AX

Are the reactants two aqueous solutions? No

Yes No

After DR, are any of the products insoluble? Yes

Can an active metal replace a less active metal via SR? No

Yes

Replace the less active metal with the more active metal.

Will DR form a gas? Yes No

Precipitate any insoluble products.

Can an active nonmetal replace a less active nonmetal via SR? No

Yes

Replace the less active nonmetal with the more active nonmetal.

Will DR form any of H2CO WillWill DR form H2CO3, 3, DR form any of H2CO3, H2SO3, or NH4OH? NH4OH? H2SO3, Yes

Form the gas as a product.

Is it a tricky redox reaction that appears to be SR? No

Yes

Follow the instructions for a redox reaction.

No

Decompose this product into

H2O and either CO2, SO2, or NH3.

Are the reactants hydrogen (H2) and a hot metallic oxide? No

Yes

Form the elemental metal and water (H2O) as products. No

Will DR form a molecular substance (such as H2O)? No

Yes

Remove all ions from solution and proceed.

Try a different reaction type.

Remove all spectator ions from solution.

Check if the reaction is any of the following. Metal sulfide + O2 metallic oxide + SO2 Cl2 + dilute 2NaOH NaClO + NaCl + H2O Cu + hot, conc. 2H2SO4 CuSO4 + SO2 + 2H2O 3Cu + dilute 8HNO3 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O Cu + conc. 4HNO3 Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O

Try a different reaction type. Remove all spectator ions from solution.

Write and balance the finalized DR reaction.

Write and balance the finalized SR reaction.

Yes

Anhydride A + H2O ...

Combustion A + O2 ...

Is the non-H2O reactant a nonmetallic oxide? No

Yes

This is an acidic anhydride. Form an acid as a product.

Is the non-O2 reactant a hydrocarbon or alcohol? No

Yes

Form carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) as products.

Is the non-H2O reactant a metallic oxide? No

Yes

This is a basic anhydride. Form a base as a product.

Is the non-O2 reactant ammonia (NH3)? No

Yes No

Is there limited O2? Yes

Is the non-H2O reactant a metallic hydride? No

Yes

This is an ionic hydride. Form a metallic OH and H2 as products.

Is the non-O2 reactant a nonmetallic hydride? Yes No

Form nitrogen monoxide (NO) and water (H2O) as products.

Is the non-H2O reactant a phosphorus halide? No

Yes

Form an acid of phosphorus and a hydrohalic acid as products.

Is the non-O2 reactant a nonmetallic sulfide? Yes

Form nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and water (H2O) as products.

Is the non-H2O reactant a group 1 or 2 nitride? No

Try a different reaction type.

Remove all spectator ions from solution.

Try a different reaction type.

No

Yes

Form the metallic hydroxide and ammonia (NH3) as products.

Form an oxide and water (H2O).

Form an oxide and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Write and balance the finalized anhydride reaction.

Write and balance the finalized combustion reaction.

Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Oxidation numbers of at least 2 elements must change

Yes
Are any of the phrases "acidified," "acidic solution," or "basic solution" present?

Are both oxidizing and reducing agents present? Yes No

Yes

Identify the oxidized and reduced products.

Write the unbalanced net ionic equation.

No

Is the reaction SR or DR? No

Follow the instructions for SR or DR reactions.

Separate this equation into two half-reactions (HR).

Balance the atoms other than

O and H in each HR separately.

Check if any of the following common oxidizing or reducing agents are present. MnO4 in acidic soln. Mn2+ halide ions free halogens MnO2 in acidic soln. Mn2+ free metals metal ions MnO4 in basic soln. MnO2 sulfite ions or SO2 sulfate ions Yes Cr2O72 in acidic soln. Cr3+ nitrite ions nitrate ions HNO3, conc. NO2 free halogens hypohalite/halate ions HNO3, dilute NO metal-ous ions metal-ic ions H2SO4, hot conc. SO2 H2O2 O2 metal-ic ions metal-ous ions free halogens halide ions Na2O2 NaOH HClO4 Cl C2O42 CO2 Try a different reaction H2O2 H2O type. No

Add H2O to balance O atoms. Add H+ to balance H atoms.

Add electrons to one side of each HR to balance charges.

Are there the same number of electrons added to each HR? Yes

No

Multiply one or both HRs by a coefficient to equalize the electrons.

Add the two HRs together and balance by inspection.

Check that the electrons have canceled and the charges are balanced.

Is the reaction in basic solution? No

Yes

Add OH to both sides and combine H+ and OH to form H2O.

Write the finalized redox reaction.

Acid-Base Acid + base salt + H2O

Complex Ion ... central metal ion bonded to ligands

Are both an acid and a base present as reactants? No

Yes

Ionize strong acids and write weak acids as molecules.

Is there a ligand present? No

Yes

Is the word "excess" used to describe the quantity of a ligand? Yes No

Is there a reactant that will react with H2O first, such as SO2? Yes

No No

Try a different reaction type.

Try a different reaction type.

No

Is there a transition metal ion that will accept a ligand? Yes

Will this reactant later react with an acid or a base? Yes Watch out for limited reactant quantities and mole ratios.

Write a preliminary reaction combining the reactant and H2O.

Find the charge on this metal ion, and double it.

Form a complex ion with this many ligands on the metal ion.

Combine H+ and OH to form H2O.

Check the solubility of the salt and ionize or precipitate accordingly.

Check quantities of reactants and products, and mole ratios.

Combine the remaining anion and cation to form a salt.

Remove all spectator ions from solution.

Remove all spectator ions from solution.

Follow this process and make sure there are enough ligands present.

Write and balance the finalized acid-base reaction.

Write and balance the finalized complex ion reaction.

Addition Reactions A+BC

Decomposition Reactions AB+C

Are the reactants a group 1 or 2 metal and a nonmetal? No

Yes

Form a salt as a product.

Are any of the words "heat," "electrolysis," or "catalyst" present?

Yes

Will a compound break down to produce elements and/or compounds?

Are the reactants two nonmetals? No

Yes

Form a molecular compound as a product.

No

Try a different reaction type. No

Are the reactants two compounds? No

Yes

Form a single compound as a product.

Are the reactants a metallic oxide and CO2 or SO2? No

Yes

Form a metallic carbonate or a metallic sulfite.

Are the reactants water (H2O) and a metallic or nonmetallic oxide? Yes

No

Check if the reaction is any of the following. Metallic carbonate metallic oxide + CO2 Metallic chlorate metallic chloride + O2 2H2O2 2H2O + O2 (NH4)2CO3 2NH3 + H2O + CO2 H2SO3 SO2 + H2O H2CO3 CO2 + H2O NH4OH NH3 + H2O Yes

Follow the instructions for an anhydride reaction.

Try a different reaction type.

Break the compound down into its products.

Write and balance the finalized addition reaction.

Write and balance the finalized decomposition reaction.

Yes

No