Stability of the Metal Carbonates

• • Some metal carbonates are stable others fall apart easily when heated (decompose).
• • The more reactive the metal, the stronger the bond and the more thermally stable the carbonate.
• • Other metal carbonates decompose thermally to form metal’s oxide and carbon dioxide (+ have different observations).
• • Copper (II) carbonate is a green solid - decomposes when heated (on low heat) to form black copper (II) oxide.
  • CuCO3 -> CuO + CO2
• • Calcium carbonate (limestone or marble) glows when heated (on high heat for several minutes) - decomposes to calcium oxide.
  • CaCO3 -> CuO + CO2