Structural formula of the carbonate anion.
A carbonate is an anion of carbon and oxygen, with a gross formula CO3. A carbonate is a salt or ester of bicarbonate (carbonic acid). Structure
The carbonate anion has a trigonal planar molecular geometry, since the central carbon atom is sp-hybridized. Due to the presence of formal charges on two of the three oxygen atoms, three resonance structures are possible:
The three carbon-oxygen bonds are equally long. Characteristics
Carbonates are usually solids because the ionic bond is so strong that a crystal structure is formed. Most carbonates are colorless and odorless. With the exception of the carbonates of alkali metals, the carbonates are poorly soluble in water. The carbonate that is most common in the earth's crust is calcium carbonate.
Other examples of carbonates are sodium carbonate, silver carbonate and lead (II) carbonate. Also see
WikiWoordenboekwiki
