The compound with the formula Al2(CO3)3 is named aluminum carbonate. This compound is an ionic compound.
To understand why, we should break down its components. Aluminum (Al) is a metal, and when it forms compounds, it tends to donate electrons, which is characteristic of ionic bonding. Carbonate (CO32-) is a polyatomic ion, which is a group of atoms that carries a charge.
When aluminum reacts with carbonate, it forms aluminum carbonate through the transfer of electrons from aluminum to the carbonate ion, resulting in an ionic bond. Therefore, Al2(CO3)3 exhibits ionic characteristics due to the presence of metal cations and anions.