Metasilicates are silicates containing ions of empirical formula SiO2−
3
. Common stoichiometries include MI
2
SiO3 and MIISiO3. Metasilicates can be cyclic, usually the hexamer (SiO3)12−6 or chains (SiO3)n2−.[1]

Idealized structure of sodium metasilicate.

Common compounds containing metasilicate anion are:

Pyroxene (diopside) is a mineral classified as a metasilicate.

References

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  1. ^ Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.