Carbonate Salts

Carbonate salts are nonflammable materials.

Carbonate salts act as weak bases and therefore participate in acid-base reactions that generate heat and release carbon dioxide. The production of CO2 may cause pressurization of vessels containing carbonates.

Generally nontoxic. Sodium bicarbonate is used as an anti-acid medication.

Carbonates are made from reaction between carbonic acid (aqueous carbon dioxide) and a base (or alkali). They have the formula Mx(CO3)y (e.g. Na2CO3, soda ash). Carbonate salts are generally considered weak bases, and they turn litmus paper blue. Carbonates have many uses from glass making, pulp and paper manufacture, water treatment chemicals, textile manufacture, cleaning compounds, food additives, etc.

Ammonium bicarbonate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesite, sodium percarbonates, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate.