Orthosilicic acidOrthosilicic acid () is an inorganic compound with the formula Si(OH)4. Although rarely observed, it is the key compound of silica and silicates and the precursor to other silicic acids[H2xSiOx+2]n. Silicic acids play important roles in biomineralization and technology. It is the parent acid of the orthosilicate anion SiO4.
SilicateA silicate is any member of a family of polyatomic anions consisting of silicon and oxygen, usually with the general formula [SiO4−x]n, where 0 ≤ x < 2. The family includes orthosilicateSiO4−4 (x = 0), metasilicateSiO2−3 (x = 1), and pyrosilicateSi2O6−7 (x = 0.5, n = 2). 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.
SiliconChemical element with atomic number 14 (Si)C↑Si↓Gealuminium ← silicon → phosphorus
BiomineralizationProcess by which living organisms produce mineralsIUPAC definitionBiomineralization: Complete conversion of organic substances to inorganic derivatives by living organisms, especially micro-organisms.
OligomerIn chemistry and biochemistry, an oligomer () is a molecule that consists of a few repeating units which could be derived, actually or conceptually, from smaller molecules, monomers. The name is composed of Greek elements , "a few" and , "parts". An adjective form is oligomeric. The oligomer concept is contrasted to that of a polymer, which is usually understood to have a large number of units, possibly thousands or millions.
SeawaterSeawater, or sea water, is water from a sea or ocean. On average, seawater in the world's oceans has a salinity of about 3.5% (35 g/L, 35 ppt, 600 mM). This means that every kilogram (roughly one liter by volume) of seawater has approximately 35 grams (1.2 oz) of dissolved salts (predominantly sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) ions).
Aqueous solutionAn aqueous solution is a solution in which the solvent is water. It is mostly shown in chemical equations by appending (aq) to the relevant chemical formula. For example, a solution of table salt, also known as sodium chloride (NaCl), in water would be represented as Na(aq) + Cl(aq). The word aqueous (which comes from aqua) means pertaining to, related to, similar to, or dissolved in, water.
OxideAn oxide () is a chemical compound containing at least one oxygenatom and one other element in its chemical formula. "Oxide" itself is the dianion (anion bearing a net charge of −2) of oxygen, an O ion with oxygen in the oxidation state of −2. Most of the Earth's crust consists of oxides. Even materials considered pure elements often develop an oxide coating.
Chemical compoundA chemical compound is a chemical substance composed of many identical molecules (or molecular entities) containing atoms from more than one chemical element held together by chemical bonds. A molecule consisting of atoms of only one element is therefore not a compound. A compound can be transformed into a different substance by a chemical reaction, which may involve interactions with other substances.
ChemistryScientific study of matter's behavior and propertiesImages relating to the six main branches of chemistry, clockwise from the upper left : a BeF₂ glass network (inorganic chemistry), a caffeine molecule (organic chemistry), a reaction coordinate diagram (physical chemistry), a proton NMR spectrum (analytical chemistry), the RGS4 protein (biochemistry), and a glowstick using chemiluminescence (applied chemistry).Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter.
Hydroxy groupIn chemistry, a hydroxy or hydroxyl group is a functional group with the chemical formula−OH and composed of one oxygen atom covalently bonded to one hydrogen atom. In organic chemistry, alcohols and carboxylic acids contain one or more hydroxy groups. Both the negatively charged anionHO, called hydroxide, and the neutral radicalHO·, known as the hydroxyl radical, consist of an unbonded hydroxy group.
Conjugate (acid-base theory)A conjugate acid is a chemical compound that is formed when an acid gives a proton (H) to a base. A conjugate base is what remains after an acid has donated a proton during a chemical reaction. In other words, a conjugate acid is a base with a hydrogen ion added to it, as it loses a hydrogen ion in the reverse reaction, and a conjugate base is a substance formed by the removal of a proton from an acid, as it can gain a hydrogen ion in the reverse reaction.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.