silicate
Sign in to savethumb|class=skin-invert-image|Structure of the orthosilicate (ion)|orthosilicate anion |250px
Article
12 sectionsContents
- Structural principles
- Isolated silicates
- Chains
- Sheets
- Framework
- Silicates with non-tetrahedral silicon
- Chemical properties
- Reactions
- Detection
- Zeolite formation and geopolymers polymerisation
- See also
- References
thumb|class=skin-invert-image|Structure of the orthosilicate (ion)|orthosilicate anion |250px
A silicate is any member of a family of polyatomic anions consisting of silicon and oxygen, usually with the general formula , where . The family includes orthosilicate (), metasilicate (), and pyrosilicate (, ). The name is also used for any salt of such anions, such as sodium metasilicate; or any ester containing the corresponding chemical group, such as tetramethyl orthosilicate. The name "silicate" is sometimes extended to any anions containing silicon, even if they do not fit the general formula or contain other atoms besides oxygen; such as hexafluorosilicate . Most commonly, silicates are encountered as silicate minerals.