Consider the alkaline earth metal carbonates: , , , , . How many of these can be kept completely sta — s Block Elements Chemistry Question
Question
Consider the alkaline earth metal carbonates: $BeCO_3$, $MgCO_3$, $CaCO_3$, $SrCO_3$, $BaCO_3$. How many of these can be kept completely stable in normal atmospheric air at room temperature without requiring a strictly artificial $CO_2$ atmosphere?
Answer: 4
💡 Solution & Explanation
Due to its exceptionally small size, $Be^{2+}$ strongly polarizes $CO_3^{2-}$, making $BeCO_3$ extremely unstable thermodynamically. It decomposes at room temperature in air and must be stored in an atmosphere of $CO_2$. The other 4 carbonates ($Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba$) are sufficiently stable to be kept in normal air.
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