Question

Which of the carbonates given below is unstable in air and is kept in co2 atmosphere to avoid decompostion?

Answer 1

(a) Due to least electropositive character or least basicity of Be, BeCO3 is less stable and hence decomposes to give BeO and CO2.

BeCO3 → BeO + CO2

Since the decomposition reaction is reversible, therefore, to increase the stability of BeCO3or to reverse the above equilibrium, BeCO3 is kept in an atmosphere of CO2.