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Cobalt(II) acetate is the cobalt(II) salt of acetic acid. It is commonly found as the tetrahydrate Co(C2H3O2)2·4 H2O or Co(CH3COO)2·4 H2O also abbreviated Co(OAc)2·4 H2O. It is used as an industrial catalyst.
Synthesis and structure[edit]
It may be formed by the reaction between cobalt oxide or hydroxide and acetic acid:
- CoO + 2 HC2H3O2 + 3 H2O → Co(C2H3O2)2·4 H2O
The tetrahydrate has been shown by X-ray crystallography to adopt an octahedral structure, the central cobalt centre being coordinated by four water molecules and two acetate ligands.[1]
Reactions and uses[edit]
Cobalt acetate is a precursor to various oil drying agents, catalysts that allow paints and varnishes to harden.[2] Cobalt(II) acetate reacts with salenH2 to give salcomine, a transition metal dioxygen complex:[3]
- Co(OAc)2 + salenH2 → Co(salen) + 2 HOAc
Cobalt salts are poisonous.[4]