(a) List two uses of sodium trioxocarbonate (IV).
(b) Sodium trioxocarbonate (IV) solution is alkaline.
(i) What phenomenon is responsible for this observation?
(ii) Name the product obtained on passing carbon (IV) oxide into saturated sodium trioxocarbonate (IV) solution.
Explanation
(a) Uses of Na(_2)CO(_3)
– As a water softener
– For standardizing acids or as analytical reagent
– In the manufacture of glass. NaOH, paper, soap or detergent etc.
(b)(i) Hydrolysis accounts for the alkalinity of Na(_2)CO(_3)(_{(aq)})
(ii) Sodium hydrogen trioxocarbonate (IV) is obtained when
– CO(_2) is bubbled into Na(_2)CO(_{3(aq)}).