Cobalt(II) carbonate is the inorganic compound with the formula CoCO3. This pink paramagnetic solid is an intermediate in the hydrometallurgical purification of cobalt from its ores. It is an inorganic pigment, and a precursor to catalysts.[5] Cobalt(II) carbonate also occurs as the rare red/pink mineral spherocobaltite.[6]
Preparation and structure
It is prepared by combining solutions cobaltous sulfate and sodium bicarbonate:
CoSO4 + 2 NaHCO3 → CoCO3 + Na2SO4 + H2O + CO2
This reaction is used in the precipitation of cobalt from an extract of its roasted ores.[5]
At least two cobalt(II) carbonate-hydroxides are known: Co2(CO3)(OH)2 and Co6(CO3)2(OH)8·H2O.[10]
The moderately rare spherocobaltite is a natural form of cobalt carbonate, with good specimens coming especially from the Republic of Congo. "Cobaltocalcite" is a cobaltiferous calcite variety that is quite similar in habit to spherocobaltite.[6]
Safety
Toxicity has rarely been observed. Animals, including humans, require trace amounts of cobalt, a component of vitamin B12.[5]
References
^Haynes, W.M., ed. (2017). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (97th ed.). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. pp. 4–58. ISBN978-1-4987-5429-3.
^Pertlik, F. (1986). "Structures of hydrothermally synthesized cobalt(II) carbonate and nickel(II) carbonate". Acta Crystallographica Section C. 42: 4–5. doi:10.1107/S0108270186097524.