Cobalt Acetate Tetrahydrate: Detailed Product Description

What Is Cobalt Acetate Tetrahydrate

Cobalt Acetate Tetrahydrate shows up as pink to red, crystalline solid, commonly handled as flakes or powder. Formula: Co(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O, with a molecular weight of 249.08 g/mol. It dissolves with ease in water, giving a clear pink solution. This hydrate form brings out the cobalt ion’s solubility, making it popular in chemical syntheses, lab research, and industry. The material holds importance for its role as a raw ingredient in ceramics, pigments, catalysts, glass, batteries, and even some vitamins. In daily handling, the compound can come in flakes, pearls, or fine powder. The odor is faint and slightly vinegary from the acetic acid in its structure.

Physical Properties and Structure

The solid appears as bright red to pink crystals or flakes. Density stands at roughly 1.7 g/cm³ at room temperature. It melts when heated and loses water upon further heating, gradually turning into cobalt(II) acetate anhydrous. Four water molecules stay attached to every cobalt acetate unit based on its tetrahydrate structure, which affects both its weight and its behavior in solutions. This compound’s structure helps bind cobalt ions tightly, making them easier to release when mixed in water or alcohol. The ability to form solutions, especially clear pink ones, supports its use across research labs and manufacturing lines. The crystalline nature assures consistent chemical behavior and reliable input into chemical reactions.

Chemical Specifications and HS Code

Commercial cobalt acetate tetrahydrate usually offers a 98%–99% assay, supporting strict quality appetite in technical, research, or manufacturing applications. The HS Code, 2915.29, falls under carboxylic acids and their derivatives. Researchers identify the substance quickly using techniques like X-ray diffraction or IR spectroscopy due to its well-documented structure. Solubility in water sits around 43 g/100 mL at 20°C, making quick work of mixing needs. The hydrated form resists clumping, whether stored as powder, granules, or small pearly beads, given dry sealed packaging keeps it safe from humidity.

Safe Handling, Hazards, and Regulatory Notes

Handling cobalt acetate tetrahydrate calls for smart caution, since it contains both cobalt ions and acetic acid. These components carry health risks: repeated skin contact can cause irritation or allergic responses; inhalation of fine powder creates a risk for coughing or more serious respiratory issues. On the chemical hazard scale, it sits below highly toxic or reactive substances, but due respect makes sense—cobalt compounds have shown links to harm in chronic exposures. Suppliers must label drums or jars clearly. Proper PPE, such as nitrile gloves, N95 masks, and lab coats, forms a basic defense. Cobalt ions are flagged under environmental regulations since high concentrations damage aquatic life, so waste and wash solutions need responsible treatment. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) outline best practice for routine and accidental exposures. From personal experience in research labs, cobalt acetate’s bright pink tone helps spot spills or contamination quickly, but its fine dust can escape notice without good housekeeping.

Applications and Solution Options

Research and production teams prize cobalt acetate tetrahydrate for its predictable chemical properties. Its reliability has made it a go-to for catalysts, especially in the synthesis of terephthalic acid and petroleum refining. It appears in the formulation of specialized glass, ceramics, and animal feed as a micronutrient, linking use to markets that touch daily life. Battery R&D teams use it for making advanced cathode materials, chasing higher efficiency and performance. Some textile dyeing processes depend on cobalt acetate as a mordant to fix dyes. A few vitamin formulations, mainly animal, require trace cobalt sourced from safe compounds like this tetrahydrate. Slow shifts in manufacturing favor less hazardous replacements, but cobalt acetate holds ground where its chemistry delivers unique results. Solutions prepared from this crystal are added by volume or mass: bottles labeled in grams, liters, moles, or specified concentrations for dosing control. From my background in battery research, I have seen the compound’s purity and reliable solution behavior support quality control.

From Raw Material to Advanced Product

Working directly with cobalt acetate tetrahydrate often means blending science, process control, and respect for health and safety. Sourcing raw materials at scale increases concerns over dust, consistency, and storage stability. Stable supply chains rely on reputable producers offering certificates of analysis and matching the listed purity. Teams in QC and environment health track shipment documents by the HS Code. Finished materials—powder, flake, crystals, or solution—must all stay dry and well sealed, away from acids, reducing agents or strong bases. Disposal routes always account for hazardous waste rules, never routine trash, and usually involve coordination with chemical waste handlers. Some users request custom forms, such as larger pearls for easier handling, or concentrated liquid for direct dosing, requiring production lines to adapt, but none change the material’s underlying chemistry. As new battery chemistries and catalysts develop, the call for exacting cobalt sources only grows, making cobalt acetate tetrahydrate a backbone chemical for advanced tech.