Which of the following carbonates has the highest decomposition temperature?

A $MgCO X_{3}$
B $SrCO X_{3}$
C $CaCO X_{3}$
D $BaCO X_{3}$

Answer: D

Thermal stability of group 2 carbonates rises down the group because the smaller cation polarises the carbonate ion more and forms the more stable oxide. The order is

MgCO X_{3} < CaCO X_{3} < SrCO X_{3} < BaCO X_{3}

, so

BaCO X_{3}

is the most stable.

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