karbonaattiryhmän

Karbonaattiryhmän refers to the carbonate functional group, a polyatomic anion with the chemical formula CO3^2-. It consists of a central carbon atom covalently bonded to three oxygen atoms. The overall charge of the ion is -2. In the carbonate ion, the carbon atom is sp2 hybridized, and the three oxygen atoms are arranged in a trigonal planar geometry around the carbon. Due to resonance, the carbon-oxygen bonds are all equivalent and have a bond order of approximately 1.33.

Carbonates are found extensively in nature, most notably as the primary component of limestone, marble, and chalk, which are all forms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). This compound is essential for the formation of shells and exoskeletons in many marine organisms, such as mollusks and corals. The geological carbon cycle plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate, with carbonate rocks acting as a major reservoir of carbon.

In chemistry, carbonate salts are often soluble in water, although some, like calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, are relatively insoluble. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), also known as soda ash, is a commercially important chemical used in the production of glass, detergents, and other chemicals. Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) is used in explosives, soaps, and certain types of glass. Bicarbonate (or hydrogen carbonate), HCO3^-, is a related species with a charge of -1, formed by the addition of a proton to the carbonate ion. This ion is also prevalent in natural waters and plays a significant role in biological systems, such as in buffering blood pH.