How to Extract Limestone
- 1). Crush the limestone and dissolve in dilute hydrochloric acid. Filter any insoluble materials, such as silica, with filter paper.
- 2). Add oxalic acid (H2C2O4), which will react with the remaining calcium to form calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) as a solid precipitate. Wash this precipitate with deionized water and transfer it to a beaker.
- 3). Add dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) to calcium oxalate to form calcium chloride (CaCl2).
- 4). Add concentrated sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) to calcium chloride to form calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as a precipitate.
- 5). Filter off this precipitate and wash it. Dry the calcium carbonate in an oven at 120 degrees Celsius (248 degrees Fahrenheit).
Source...