Question

I understand Sodium carbonate and calcium hydroxide reacts, but I am surprised to see there is not any description regarding Sodium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide reaction. Is there a reason? do these two compounds react? Looking at solubility rule they should react and form precipitate.

Answer 1

Sodium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide do not react because magnesium carbonate is the only insoluble carbonate of Group 2 metals.

Step-by-step explanation:

While sodium carbonate and calcium hydroxide react to form a precipitate, sodium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide do not react.

This is because magnesium carbonate is the only carbonate of Group 2 metals that is insoluble.

According to solubility rules, all carbonates except those of potassium, sodium, and ammonium are insoluble. Therefore, the reaction between sodium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide does not occur.