Chains thumb|Depiction of a metasilicate chain, emphasizing the tetrahedral silicate subunits. thumb|right|220 px|Alternative depiction of a metasilicate chain emphasizing the Si-O bonds. With two shared oxides bound to each silicon, cyclic or polymeric structures can result. The cyclic metasilicate ring is a hexamer of SiO32-. Polymeric silicate anions of can exist also as long chains.
Chains thumb|Depiction of a metasilicate chain, emphasizing the tetrahedral silicate subunits. thumb|right|220 px|Alternative depiction of a metasilicate chain emphasizing the Si-O bonds. With two shared oxides bound to each silicon, cyclic or polymeric structures can result. The cyclic metasilicate ring is a hexamer of SiO32- Polymeric silicate anions of can exist also as long chains.