ion-exchange reaction, Any of a class of chemical reactions between two substances (each consisting of positively and negatively charged species called ions) that involves an exchange of one or more ionic components. When such an ionic substance is dissolved in water, the ions are freed from the restraints that hold them within the rigid array of the crystal, and they move about in the solution with relative freedom. Certain insoluble materials bearing positive or negative charges on their surfaces react with ionic solutions to remove various ions selectively, replacing them with ions of other kinds. Such processes are used in a variety of ways to remove ions from solution and to separate ions of various kinds from one another. Such separations are widely used in the scientific laboratory to effect purifications and to aid in the analysis of unknown mixtures. Ion-exchange materials such as zeolites are also employed commercially to purify water (among other uses) and medically to serve as artificial kidneys and for other purposes. Ion exchange is an important tool in chemical analysis because it permits separation of materials that are very difficult to separate by other means. Ion exchangers, especially inorganic and cellulose-based exchangers (e.g., chlorides of iron and gold, FeCl4− and AuCl4−), are used to separate mixtures of many components.
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