Calcium bicarbonate
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Calcium hydrogen carbonate
| |
| Other names
Cleansing lime
| |
| Properties | |
| Ca(HCO3)2 | |
| Molar mass | 162.11464 g/mol |
| Appearance | Unstable solution |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Melting point | Decomposes |
| Boiling point | Decomposes |
| 16.1 g/100 ml (0 °C) 16.6 g/100 ml (20 °C) 18.4 g/100 ml (100 °C) | |
| Solubility | Reacts with acids |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | None |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Calcium carbonate |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Calcium bicarbonate, also called calcium hydrogen carbonate, is an unstable inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula Ca(HCO3)2.
The compound cannot be isolated in solid form as it decomposes to calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide upon removal of water via either boiling or vacuum drying. It exists only in aqueous solution containing the calcium (Ca2+), bicarbonate (HCO−
3), and carbonate (CO2−
3) ions, together with dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2). The relative concentrations of these carbon-containing species depend on the pH: bicarbonate predominates within the range 6.36–10.25 in fresh water.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Solutions of calcium carbonate react with acids forming calcium salts of said acids and releasing carbon dioxide.
- Ca(HCO3)2 + 2 HX → CaX2 + 2 H2O + 2 CO2
Physical
Calcium bicarbonate can only exist in an aq. solution, thus all of its properties are those of its solution.
Availability
Calcium bicarbonate solutions are not sold by chemical suppliers due to their instability and thus have to be made in situ.
Preparation
Calcium bicarbonate can be made by bubbling an excess of carbon dioxide through an aq. suspension of calcium carbonate until all the carbonate dissolves.
- CaCO3(s) + CO2 → Ca(HCO3)2(aq)
Projects
- Neutralize acids
- Purify calcium carbonate
- Dissolve limestone
Handling
Safety
Calcium bicarbonate solution has low toxicity and it's generally considered safe to handle. Avoid handling it in closed bottles to prevent a pressure build-up inside the container.
Storage
Calcium bicarbonate cannot be stored for long periods of time.
Disposal
No special disposal is required. Discard it as you with.
References
Relevant Sciencemadness threads
- Articles containing unverified chemical infoboxes
- Chembox articles without image
- Chemical compounds
- Inorganic compounds
- Calcium compounds
- Bicarbonates
- Acid salts
- Bases
- Amphoteric compounds
- Materials unstable in basic solution
- Materials unstable in acidic solution
- Materials stable only in solution
- Unstable materials
