Final answer:
A reaction where the cations of two ionic compounds switch places is called a double-replacement reaction, represented by the general equation AB + CD → AD + BC.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of reaction where the cations of two ionic compounds switch places is known as a double-replacement reaction. In this process, the cations and anions from two different reactants swap partners to form two new compounds, one of which is often a solid precipitate, a gas, or a molecular compound like water. The general equation for this type of reaction is represented as AB + CD → AD + BC. A real-world example of a double-replacement reaction is the reaction between sodium chloride (NaCl) and silver nitrate (AgNO₃), which produces silver chloride (AgCl) and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃).