Editing Silicate (section)

{{Short description|Any polyatomic anion containing silicon and oxygen}}
[[File:Orthosilicate-2D-dimensions.png|thumb|Structure of the [[orthosilicate (ion)|orthosilicate]] anion {{chem|SiO|4|4−}}|250px]]

A '''silicate''' is any member of a family of [[polyatomic anion]]s consisting of [[silicon]] and [[oxygen]], usually with the general formula {{chem|[SiO|4−''x''|(4−2''x'')− |]|''n''}}, where {{nowrap|0 ≤ ''x'' < 2}}.  The family includes [[orthosilicate]] {{chem2|SiO4(4-)}} ({{nowrap|1=''x'' = 0}}), [[metasilicate]] {{chem2|SiO3(2-)}} ({{nowrap|1=''x'' = 1}}), and [[pyrosilicate]] {{chem2|Si2O7(6-)}} ({{nowrap|1=''x'' = 0.5}}, {{nowrap|1=''n'' = 2}}).  The name is also used for any [[salt (chemistry)|salt]] of such anions, such as [[sodium metasilicate]]; or any [[ester]] containing the corresponding [[Moiety (chemistry)|chemical group]], such as [[tetramethyl orthosilicate]].<ref name=green/> 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 [[hexafluorosilicic acid|hexafluorosilicate]] {{chem2|[SiF6](2-)}}. Most commonly, silicates are encountered as [[silicate minerals]].

For diverse manufacturing, technological, and artistic needs, silicates are versatile materials, both natural (such as [[granite]], [[gravel]], and [[garnet]]) and artificial (such as [[Portland cement]], [[ceramic]]s, [[glass]], and [[waterglass]]).