Predicting Products
• Synthesis
– Combine the elements together. Check subscripts
with oxidation numbers.
– Combine two oxide compounds into one large
oxide compound.
• Decomposition
– One reactant breaks into two parts.
Predicting Products
• Combustion
– Start with a hydrocarbon and oxygen.
– The products will be carbon dioxide and water.
• Single Replacement
– Metal replace metals. Check subscripts with
oxidation numbers.
– Nonmetal replace nonmetals. Check subscripts
with oxidation numbers.
– Need to check activity series
Activity Series – Table 4, pg 281
or 832 for more complete table
• A series of elements that have similar
properties and that are arranged in decreasing
order of chemical activity
• However, reaction will only occur if the more
reactive material is added to a less reactive
material.
• A more reactive material displaces a less
reactive material.
• The more reactive the material, the higher on
the activity series it will be.
Predicting Products
• Double replacement
– First elements switch. Check subscripts with
oxidation numbers.
– Neutralization falls under this category. In the
reaction, it makes the product liquid water and a
soluble salt.
– Need to check solubility chart
Solubility Chart
• Helps predicts if a double replacement
reaction will occur.
• If an insoluble product is produced, the
reaction will take place.
• These can come in the form of a precipitate, a
gas or sometime a liquid.
• This chart helps to predict if a precipitate
(insoluble solid) forms
• 2 Zn + O2 
•
F2 + Mg 
2 ZnO
MgF2
• 2 AgCl 
2 Ag + Cl2
• 2 HgO 
2 Hg + O2
•
•
C3H8 + O
52 
Synthesis
Synthesis
Decomposition
Decomposition
3 CO2 + 4 H2O
Combustion
HCl + NaOH 
NaCl + H2O
Neutralization
Examples – Predict if the following will
occur. If they will, predict the result:
• NaI +
Cl2 
Cl is higher than I  yes
NaCl + I2
Ag is higher than Au  yes
• AuCl3 (aq) + Ag(s) 
AgCl + Au
Ag is lower than Ca  no
• AgNO3 (aq)+ CaCl2 (aq)
No reaction
AgCl is not soluble  yes
• AgNO3 (aq) + NaCl (aq) 
AgCl (s) + NaNO3 (aq)
PbCl2 is not soluble  yes
• Lead (II) nitrate + sodium chloride 
PbCl2 (s) + NaNO3 (aq)
Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + NaCl (aq) 