Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation.
Potential Exposure
This material is used as a catalyst for a number of reactions. It is also used in antiknock gasoline and for high-purity cobalt salts.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek Medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a Medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a drug or other inhalation therapy
Shipping
UN3124 Toxic solids, self-heating, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; 6.1-Poisonous materials, 4.2-Spontaneously combustible material. Technical Name Required. UN3190 Self-heating solid, inorganic, Hazard Class: 4.2; Labels: 4.2-Spontaneously combustible material, Technical Name Required. UN1325 Flammable solid, organic, n.o.s. Hazard Class: 4.1; Labels: 4.1-Flammable solid
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. Decomposes on exposure to air or heat (@ ~52°C) producing toxic fumes of cobalt and oxides of carbon
Chemical Properties
Cobalt carbonyl is a pyrophoric (spontaneously flammable in air), red-orange (when pure) to dark-brown crystalline solid.
Chemical Properties
red-orange to dark red crystals or flakes
Physical properties
Orange crystals; density 1.78 g/cm3; melts at 5l°C; decomposes above this temperature; insoluble in water; soluble in most organic solvents including alcohol, ether, carbon disulfide.
Uses
Cobalt octacarbonyl is used as a catalyst in the Oxo process. It also is used as a catalyst for hydrogenation, isomerization, hydrosilation and polymerization reactions. The compound is also a source of producing pure cobalt metal and its purified salts.
Uses
It is used as a catalyst in many organicconversion reactions, which include hydrogenation,isomerization, hydroformylation,polymerization, and carbonylation.
Uses
The use of dicobalt octacarbonyl as a catalyst in a variety of organic syntheses has led to the study of an extensive and important organometallic chemistry of cobalt.
Preparation
Cobalt octacarbonyl is prepared by the reaction of finely divided cobalt with carbon monoxide under pressure:
2Co + 8CO → Co2(CO)8
The compound may be prepared in a similar way from cobalt(II) iodide. Also, it may be prepared by thermal decomposition of cobalt carbonyl hydride:
2HCo(CO)4 → Co2(CO)8 + H2
Health Hazard
Dicobalt octacarbonyl exhibits moderate toxicityby inhalation route and somewhatlower toxicity by intraperitoneal and oralroutes. However, it is much less toxicthan nickel tetracarbonyl or iron pentacarbonyl.A 2-hour LC50 value in mice isreported as 27 mg/m3 (Lewis 1996). Anoral LD50 value in rats is within the rangeof 750–800 mg/kg. It decomposes, evolvingtoxic carbon monoxide.
storage
Color Code—Red Stripe: Flammability Hazard:Store separately from all other flammable materials. Priorto working with this chemical you should be trained on itsproper handling and storage. Decomposes on exposure toair or heat; stable in atmosphere of hydrogen and carbonmonoxide. Store in airtight, unbreakable containers in acool, well-ventilated area away from strong oxidizers andacids.
Purification Methods
It forms orange-brown crystals on recrystallisation from n-hexane under a carbon monoxide atmosphere [Ojima et al. J Am Chem Soc 109 7714 1987; see also Hileman in Preparative Inorganic Reactions, Ed. Jolly, Vol 1 p 101 1987].
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