What is the double replacement reaction for ammonium chloride and potassium acetate? Do they form a precipitate?

The balanced double replacement reaction for ammonium chloride plus potassium acetate is:

   `~NH_4Cl` + `~KC_2H_3O_2` -> `~NH_4C_2H_3O_2` + `~KCl`

The two products of the reaction are ammonium acetate (`~NH_4C_2H_3O_2`) and potassium chloride (`~KCl` ).

We can determine whether either of the products in this reaction is a precipitate by looking at a list of solubility rules. You can find a list of solubility rules online or in your textbook.

The solubility rules tell us that:

• Acetates are always soluble.


• Compounds with ammonium are always soluble.


• Chlorides are soluble unless combined with `~Ag^+` , `~Pb^2^+`, or `~Hg_2^2+`

Therefore, both of the products are soluble and a precipitate will not be formed. We can also say that no actual reaction has occurred. Because all of the reactants are soluble ionic compounds, they all disassociate into positive and negative ions in solution. So, the same ions are present in solution(s) before and after the substances are combined.