Can double replacement reactions be redox reactions?

1 Answer
Jun 29, 2015

No, they cannot.

Explanation:

For it to be a redox reaction, elements have to change oxidation states and that does not happen in double replacement reactions.

E.g AgNO_3+NaCl -> AgCl + NaNO_3

Ag is +1 before and after the reaction;
Na is +1 before and after the reaction too;
Both NO3 and Cl are -1 before and after the reaction;

Therefore, it is not a redox reaction.