Science, Tech, Math › Science Substitution Reaction Definition What Is a Substitution Reaction in Chemistry? Print Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 03, 2019 A substitution reaction is a type of chemical reaction where an atom or functional group of a molecule is replaced by another atom or functional group. Read More Single Displacement Reaction in Chemistry By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. A substitution reaction is also called a single displacement reaction, single replacement reaction, or single substitution reaction. Examples: CH3Cl reacted with a hydroxy ion (OH-) will produce CH3OH and chlorine. This substitution reaction replaces the chlorine atom on the original molecule with the hydroxy ion. Sources Imyanitov, Naum S. (1993). "Is This Reaction a Substitution, Oxidation-Reduction, or Transfer?". J. Chem. Educ. 70 (1): 14–16. doi:10.1021/ed070p14 March, Jerry (1985). Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure (3rd ed.). New York: Wiley. ISBN 0-471-85472-7. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Substitution Reaction Definition." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-substitution-reaction-605702. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Substitution Reaction Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-substitution-reaction-605702 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Substitution Reaction Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-substitution-reaction-605702 (accessed March 29, 2024). copy citation