section_path: Reaction types/Four basic types/Double displacement
section_name: Double displacement
paragraph_text: Double displacement
  
  In a double displacement reaction, the anions and cations of two compounds switch places and form two entirely different compounds. These reactions are in the general form: AB + CD ⟶ AD + CB {\displaystyle {\ce {AB + CD->AD + CB}}}
  
  For example, when barium chloride (BaCl) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO) react, the SO anion switches places with the 2Cl anion, giving the compounds BaSO and MgCl.
  
  Another example of a double displacement reaction is the reaction of lead(II) nitrate with potassium iodide to form lead(II) iodide and potassium nitrate: Pb (NO 3) 2 + 2 KI ⟶ PbI 2 ↓ + 2 KNO 3 {\displaystyle {\ce {Pb(NO3)2 + 2KI->PbI2(v) + 2KNO3}}}