In which type of reaction do the reactants trade components to form two different products?

The type of reaction in which reactants trade components to form two different products is known as a double replacement reaction. In this process, two compounds react with each other and exchange their components, typically involving the cations and anions. As a result, this leads to the formation of two new compounds. For example, if an aqueous solution of silver nitrate is mixed with an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, the sodium ions will combine with the nitrate ions, while the silver ions will combine with the chloride ions, producing silver chloride and sodium nitrate.

This characteristic of exchanging parts distinguishes double replacement reactions from other types of reactions. In combustion reactions, for instance, a compound typically reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Single replacement reactions involve one element being displaced from a compound, generating a new element and a new compound, rather than a complete exchange of components between two reactants. Synthesis reactions, on the other hand, involve two or more reactants combining to form a single product, which does not involve trading components. Therefore, double replacement reactions uniquely fit the description provided in the question.