A chemical process involving the exchange of bonds between two reacting chemical species is known as metathesis or double displacement reaction

Metathesis reactions are called double displacement reactions.

Metathesis reactions, also known as exchange reactions or double displacement reactions, occur when the cations and anions of two different compounds exchange places, resulting in the formation of two new compounds. In these reactions, the positive and negative ions of the reactants switch places to form new combinations.

Characteristics of metathesis reactions:
- Involves the exchange of ions between two compounds.
- The reactants and products are usually in the form of aqueous solutions.
- The reaction occurs when there is a driving force for the exchange of ions, such as the formation of a precipitate, gas, or water.
- The reaction can be represented by a molecular, ionic, or net ionic equation.

Example of a metathesis reaction:
One example of a metathesis reaction is the reaction between silver nitrate (AgNO3) and sodium chloride (NaCl) to produce silver chloride (AgCl) and sodium nitrate (NaNO3). The balanced equation for this reaction is:

AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO3

In this reaction, the silver ion (Ag+) from silver nitrate exchanges places with the sodium ion (Na+) from sodium chloride, resulting in the formation of silver chloride and sodium nitrate.

Significance of metathesis reactions:
Metathesis reactions are important in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and industry. Some significant applications of metathesis reactions include:
- Precipitation reactions: Metathesis reactions can be used to selectively precipitate certain ions from a solution, allowing for the separation and purification of desired compounds.
- Ionic compounds synthesis: Metathesis reactions are commonly used to synthesize various ionic compounds, such as salts and metal complexes.
- Industrial processes: Metathesis reactions are utilized in several industrial processes, including the production of detergents, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.

In conclusion, metathesis reactions, also known as double displacement reactions, involve the exchange of ions between two compounds. These reactions are characterized by the formation of new compounds due to the exchange of positive and negative ions. Metathesis reactions have various applications in different fields, making them significant in chemistry and industry.