Calcium Bicarbonate

Calcium Bicarbonate Formula

Calcium bicarbonate represented by the chemical formula Ca(HCO3)2 or C2H2CaO6 that bears the IUPAC name calcium hydrogen carbonate [1] is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water [3]. It is an ionic compound of calcium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen [1, 6]. Though it is not a naturally occurring compound, it forms in the water of rivers, lakes, and streams when carbonate, bicarbonate, and calcium ions are dissolved with carbon dioxide [5].

Calcium Bicarbonate

Calcium Bicarbonate Identification

CAS Number 3983-19-5 [1]
PubChem CID 10176262 [1]
ChemSpider ID 8351767 [2]
UNII 7PRA4BLM2L [1]

Composition and Synthesis

Calcium bicarbonate can be prepared by a reaction between calcium carbonate and carbonic acid [7].

CaCO3 + H2CO3 = Ca(HCO3)2

Calcium Bicarbonate Formula

Properties and Characteristics of Calcium Bicarbonate

General Properties

Molar mass/molecular weight 162.11 g/mol [1]

Physical Properties

Color/appearance White powder [1]
Melting point/freezing point 1339°C, 2442°F [3]
Boiling point N/A [3]
Density 2.711 g cm-3 [3]
State of matter at room temperature (normal phase) Solid [1]

Chemical Properties

Solubility in water 16.6 g/100 ml (at 20oC) [3]
pH >7 (basic) [4]

Atomic Properties

Crystal structure Trigonal [3]
Calcium Bicarbonate Structure

Prominent Reactions

On heating, calcium bicarbonate decomposes to calcium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water [8].

Ca(HCO3)2 = CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O

It reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce calcium chloride, carbon dioxide and water [9].

Ca(HCO3)2 + 2HCl = CaCl2 + 2CO2 + 2H2O

It reacts with sulfuric acid to produce calcium sulfate, carbon dioxide and water [10].

Ca(HCO3)2 + H2SO4 = CaSO4 + 2CO2 + 2H2O

Calcium bicarbonate reacts with nitric acid to give calcium nitrate, carbon dioxide and water [12].

Ca(HCO3)2 + 2HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + 2CO2 + 2H2O

Calcium Bicarbonate Uses

  1. As a food additive [1].
  2. As an anti-caking agent [1].
  3. As a color stabilizer [1].

Is It Dangerous

The compound is not harmful if ingested. However, it may cause irritation to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract on inhalation [3, 5].

Interesting Facts

  • Calcium bicarbonate causes temporary hardness of water [13].
  • Calcium bicarbonate solution in water has health benefits due to the alkalizing effect and mineral content [5].

Calcium Bicarbonate (Ca(HCO3)2) Price

The compound costs around $200-$245 per ton. The price may vary with suppliers [11].

    References

  1. Calcium Bicarbonate – Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Calcium Bicarbonate – Chemspider.com
  3. Calcium Bicarbonate – Wikivisually.com
  4. Calcium Bicarbonate – Sciencedirect.com
  5. What Is Calcium Bicarbonate? – Livestrong.com
  6. Why calcium bicarbonate is soluble in water while calcium calcium carbonate is insoluble? – Linkedin.com
  7. How do you make calcium bicarbonate at home? – Quora.com
  8. What is the balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of calcium hydrogen carbonate? – Quora.com
  9. How Do I Balance calcium bicarbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid ? – Socratic.org
  10. How does calcium carbonate react with sulphuric acid? – Quora.com
  11. Calcium Bicarbonate Price – Alibaba.com
  12. How does nitric acid react with calcium carbonate? – Quora.com
  13. Calcium bicarbonate causes hardness in water but not calcium carbonate. Why – Brainly.in

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