18.6 Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Carbonates
3 min read•june 25, 2024
are versatile compounds formed when metal oxides or hydroxides react with carbon dioxide. They're solid at room temperature due to strong ionic bonds. Most are insoluble in water, except for Group 1 metal carbonates. Alkaline earth carbonates have unique solubility properties.
Carbonates have wide-ranging applications in industry and daily life. From in cooking to calcium in antacids, they're everywhere. Sodium carbonate is crucial in glass making and water softening. Carbonates also play a vital role in environmental processes and the .
Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Carbonates
Formation of ionic carbonates
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- Ionic carbonates form when a metal oxide or hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide
- Metal oxide or hydroxide combines with carbon dioxide gas to produce a solid ionic carbonate ()
- Ionic carbonates are solid at room temperature due to strong electrostatic attractions between metal cations and carbonate anions
- High melting points result from the significant energy required to overcome these strong ionic bonds
- Most ionic carbonates are insoluble in water, with the exception of Group 1 metal carbonates (sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate)
- Insolubility arises from the stability of the solid ionic lattice structure
Solubility of alkaline earth carbonates
- Alkaline earth metal carbonates (, , , ) are generally insoluble in water due to their stable ionic lattice structures
- Solubility decreases down the group as the ionic radius of the metal cation increases, enhancing lattice stability ( is more soluble than )
- Alkaline earth carbonates do not react with water alone, except for beryllium carbonate ()
- hydrolyzes in water to form beryllium hydroxide and carbon dioxide gas ()
- In the presence of water and carbon dioxide, alkaline earth carbonates form soluble ()
- This reversible reaction is responsible for the formation of cave structures like and
- The formation of hydrogen carbonates involves as an intermediate
Applications of carbonates in industry
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda) is used as a leavening agent in baking and as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid
- Baking soda releases carbon dioxide gas when heated, causing baked goods to rise
- Calcium carbonate is used as an antacid, calcium supplement, and filler in various products (paper, plastics, paints)
- Calcium carbonate neutralizes excess stomach acid and provides a source of calcium for bone health
- Sodium carbonate () is used in glass manufacturing and water softening
- Soda ash lowers the melting point of silica sand, facilitating glass production
- In water softening, sodium carbonate removes dissolved calcium and magnesium ions that cause water hardness
- Calcium carbonate is used in the to produce sodium carbonate and in the production of cement and lime
- The Solvay process involves reacting calcium carbonate with sodium chloride to obtain sodium carbonate
- is used in the production of lithium-ion batteries and as a mood stabilizer for treating bipolar disorder
- Lithium carbonate serves as a source of lithium ions in battery electrodes
- As a medication, lithium carbonate helps regulate brain chemistry to stabilize mood in bipolar patients
Carbonate Chemistry and Environmental Processes
- Carbonate compounds play a crucial role in the carbon cycle, regulating atmospheric CO2 levels and ocean chemistry
- involving carbonates are important in natural and industrial processes
- explains the behavior of carbonate equilibria in response to changes in temperature, pressure, and concentration
Key Terms to Review (32)
Acid-Base Reactions: Acid-base reactions are a type of chemical reaction where an acid and a base interact to produce a salt and water. These reactions involve the transfer of protons (H+ ions) between the acid and base, resulting in the neutralization of both the acidic and basic properties of the reactants.
Aragonite: Aragonite is a polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), a naturally occurring mineral that is an important component of many sedimentary rocks and marine organisms. It is closely related to the more common polymorph of calcium carbonate, calcite, and plays a significant role in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of carbonates.
BaCO3: BaCO3, or barium carbonate, is an inorganic compound that belongs to the class of carbonates. It is a white, crystalline solid that is commonly used in various industrial and chemical applications.
Baking Soda: Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound that is widely used in various applications, including as a leavening agent in baking, a cleaning agent, and a neutralizing agent. It is a key term in the context of the topics covered in section 18.6: Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Carbonates.
BeCO3: BeCO3, also known as beryllium carbonate, is a chemical compound composed of one beryllium atom and three oxygen atoms bonded to a single carbon atom. It is an important compound in the context of the topics covered in Section 18.6: Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Carbonates.
Bicarbonate: Bicarbonate is a polyatomic ion with the chemical formula HCO₃⁻, which plays a crucial role in maintaining pH balance in biological systems and acts as a buffer. It is formed when carbonic acid loses a proton and is an essential component of many carbonate compounds. Bicarbonate ions help regulate acidity in various processes, including respiration and digestion, and are key players in the occurrence and preparation of carbonates.
Ca(HCO3)2: Calcium bicarbonate, represented as Ca(HCO3)2, is a chemical compound formed from calcium ions and bicarbonate ions. It plays an important role in the occurrence and behavior of carbonates in natural environments, particularly in water systems where it can influence water hardness and the formation of deposits like limestone.
CaCO3: CaCO3, or calcium carbonate, is a chemical compound that is the main component of limestone, marble, and seashells. It is an important material in various industries and has a significant presence in the context of the representative metals and carbonates.
Calcite: Calcite is a naturally occurring mineral composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is a common constituent in the Earth's crust and is the primary component of limestone, marble, and other sedimentary rocks. Calcite's unique properties and wide availability make it an important material in various industrial and commercial applications.
Carbon Cycle: The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement and transformation of carbon through the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. It is a fundamental process that sustains life on our planet by regulating the exchange of carbon between the living and non-living components of the environment.
Carbonate: A carbonate is a salt or ester of carbonic acid, containing the carbonate ion (CO3^2-). Carbonates are an important class of compounds that play a crucial role in both chemical nomenclature and the occurrence, preparation, and properties of various substances.
Carbonate-Bicarbonate Equilibrium: Carbonate-bicarbonate equilibrium refers to the reversible chemical reaction that occurs between carbonate ions (CO3^2-) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in aqueous solutions, which is an important process in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of carbonates.
Carbonates: Carbonates are salts or esters of carbonic acid containing the carbonate ion, $CO_3^{2-}$. They are commonly found in minerals and used in various industrial processes.
Carbonic Acid: Carbonic acid is a chemical compound with the formula H2CO3. It is formed when carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water and plays a crucial role in various chemical reactions and processes within the body and the environment.
Dolomite: Dolomite is a type of sedimentary rock composed primarily of the mineral dolomite, which is a calcium magnesium carbonate. It is a common rock-forming mineral found in many geological settings and has important applications in various industries.
Effervescence: Effervescence refers to the rapid release of gas, typically carbon dioxide, from a liquid or solution, often resulting in the formation of bubbles and a fizzing or bubbling effect. This phenomenon is commonly observed in carbonated beverages, chemical reactions, and natural processes involving the release of dissolved gases.
Hydrogen carbonates: Hydrogen carbonates, also known as bicarbonates, are the salts containing the bicarbonate anion $\left( \text{HCO}_3^- \right)$. They often form when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water containing metal ions.
Le Chatelier's Principle: Le Chatelier's Principle states that when a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in one of the conditions (concentration, temperature, or pressure) affecting that equilibrium, the system will shift to counteract the change and re-establish equilibrium.
Limestone: Limestone is a common sedimentary rock composed primarily of the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate). It is a versatile material with a wide range of applications, particularly in the context of representative metals and carbonates.
Lithium Carbonate: Lithium carbonate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Li2CO3. It is a white, crystalline solid that is widely used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions, as well as in the production of glass, ceramics, and batteries.
Marble: Marble is a metamorphic rock composed primarily of calcite (calcium carbonate) that is formed through the recrystallization of limestone under intense heat and pressure. It is known for its distinctive veining patterns and variety of colors, making it a popular material for construction, sculpture, and decorative purposes.
MgCO3: MgCO3, also known as magnesium carbonate, is a chemical compound consisting of one magnesium atom bonded to one carbonate group. It is an important mineral that is closely related to the topics of the occurrence and preparation of representative metals, as well as the occurrence, preparation, and properties of carbonates.
Na2CO3: Na2CO3, also known as sodium carbonate or soda ash, is a chemical compound that is widely used in various industries and applications. It is a key term in the context of the topics related to the occurrence, preparation, and properties of carbonates.
Soda Ash: Soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate, is a chemical compound that is widely used in various industries due to its unique properties. It is a key component in the context of the topics covered in Section 18.6: Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Carbonates.
Solvay process: The Solvay process is a method for producing sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), commonly known as soda ash, from brine (saltwater) and limestone. It is a key industrial process that has been widely used since the late 19th century to meet the growing demand for sodium carbonate, a versatile chemical with numerous applications.
SrCO3: SrCO3, or strontium carbonate, is a chemical compound that consists of one strontium atom bonded to one carbonate group. It is an important mineral that is found in nature and has various industrial applications.
Stalactites: Stalactites are mineral formations that hang down from the ceilings of caves, formed by the gradual deposition of dissolved minerals, primarily calcite, from dripping water. They are closely related to the study of carbonates and their occurrence, preparation, and properties.
Stalagmites: Stalagmites are cone-shaped geological formations that rise from the floor of a cave, formed by the gradual accumulation of mineral deposits, typically calcium carbonate, from dripping water. They are a common feature in many limestone caves and are closely related to the occurrence, preparation, and properties of carbonates.
Thermal Decomposition: Thermal decomposition is a chemical process in which a compound is broken down into simpler substances by the application of heat. This process is particularly relevant in the context of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of carbonates, as it plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior and transformation of these compounds.
Thermogravimetric Analysis: Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is an analytical technique used to measure the change in the mass of a sample as a function of temperature or time in a controlled atmosphere. It is particularly useful for studying the thermal stability and composition of materials, including carbonates, as they undergo various chemical reactions and phase changes at different temperatures.
Titration: Titration is a quantitative analytical technique used to determine the unknown concentration of a solution by gradually adding a measured volume of a standard solution with a known concentration until a specific endpoint is reached, indicating the completion of a chemical reaction. This process allows for the precise measurement and calculation of the concentration of the unknown solution.
Titration analysis: Titration analysis is a quantitative chemical technique used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by reacting it with a solution of known concentration.