According to general solubility rules, which of the following statements about carbonates is correct?

• A. Carbonates are only soluble if paired with halide ions.
• B. Most carbonates are insoluble in water, except those of alkali metals and ammonium.
• C. All carbonates are soluble in water.
• D. Carbonates of transition metals are highly soluble in water.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the general solubility rules for ionic compounds in water, focusing specifically on carbonates (CO\_3\^{2-}).
2. Understand that most carbonates are insoluble in water, meaning they do not dissolve significantly to form aqueous ions.
3. Recognize the exceptions to this rule: carbonates of alkali metals (such as Li\^+, Na\^+, K\^+, etc.) and ammonium (NH\_4\^+) are soluble in water.
4. Evaluate the given statements by comparing them to these solubility rules to identify which one correctly describes the solubility behavior of carbonates.
5. Conclude that the statement 'Most carbonates are insoluble in water, except those of alkali metals and ammonium' aligns with the established solubility rules and is therefore correct.