Bicarbonates
Bicarbonates
acid salts of carbonic acid H2CO3, for example, NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate). Bicarbonates are produced by the action of CO2 on carbonates or hydroxides in the presence of water. When heated they are converted into the neutral salts, carbonates, for example 2NaHCO3 = Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2. Unlike most carbonates, all bicarbonates are soluble in water. Calcium bicarbonate Ca(HCO3)2 is responsible for the temporary hardness of water. Bicarbonates play an important physiological role in the body, where they act as buffers regulating the uniformity of the reaction of blood.