Question

Which of the following anions is present in the chain structure of silicates?

• A. $(S{i}_2{O}_5^{2-}{)}_n$
• B. $(Si{O}_3^{2-}{)}_n$
• C. $S{i}_2{O}_4^4$
• D. $S{i}_2{O}_7^{6-}$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$(Si{O}_3^{2-}{)}_n$

Chain silicates are formed by sharing two oxygen atoms by each tetrahedron.

Anions of chain silicate have two general formula :

(i) $({Si{O}_3}^{2-}{)}_n$ (ii) $({S{i}_4{O}_{11}}^{6-}{)}_n$

For example, spodumene $LiAl(Si{O}_3{)}_2$; enstatite $MgSi{O}_3$ are pyroxene type chain silicates.

Hence, option $B$ is correct.