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COBALT CARBONYL

4.2 - Spontaneously combustible
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 10210-68-1
  • 37264-96-3
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Spontaneously Combustible
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Cobalt carbonyl (as Co)external_link
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Orange or dark brown crystalline solid. Used as a catalyst, used in antiknock gasoline and in making high-purity cobalt compounds. (EPA, 1998)

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
  • Known Catalytic Activity
  • Air-Reactive
Air & Water Reactions
Decomposes upon exposure to air or if heated.
Fire Hazard
When heated to decomposition, it emits carbon monoxide. Slowly attacked by hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, more rapidly by nitric acid and bromine. Unstable, decomposes on exposure to air. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
This material is highly toxic. It is irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Cobalt carbonyls share the general toxicity of carbonyls because of the direct irritant and systemic action of the compound coupled with the effects of carbon monoxide which is released from their decomposition. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
When heated to decomposition, COBALT CARBONYL emits carbon monoxide. Slowly attacked by hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, more rapidly by nitric acid and bromine. Unstable, decomposes on exposure to air [EPA, 1998].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

DO NOT USE WATER, CO2 OR FOAM ON MATERIAL ITSELF. Some of these materials may react violently with water. CAUTION: For Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite) UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, USE FLOODING AMOUNTS OF WATER for SMALL AND LARGE fires to stop the reaction. Smothering will not work for these materials, they do not need air to burn.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or DRY sand, EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342, or withdraw from area and let fire burn. CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers or in contact with substance. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Avoid inhalation and skin contact. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Cobalt carbonyl (as Co)external link:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Warning: Cobalt carbonyl is a strong irritant.

Signs and Symptoms of Cobalt Carbonyl Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to cobalt carbonyl may result in irritation of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Following inhalation, severe lung irritation and pulmonary edema may occur. Irritation or burning of the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract could develop following ingestion. Injuries to the liver, kidney, adrenal glands, and spleen may also occur. In addition to these irritating and toxic properties, cobalt carbonyl can release toxic carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide exposure may cause breathlessness, headache, weakness and fatigue, nausea and vomiting, dimness of vision; and these signs and symptoms may progress to coma.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to cobalt carbonyl exposure may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to cobalt carbonyl.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to cobalt carbonyl.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
5. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C8Co2O8
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 124°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 0.07 mmHg at 59°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.73 at 64.4°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: Decomposes at 126°F (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 341.94 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: Insoluble (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Cobalt carbonyl (10210-68-1) 0.3 mg/m3 3.3 mg/m3 20 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Cobalt Compounds N096 & 313
Cobalt carbonyl 10210-68-1 10/10000 pounds 10 pounds 313c

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • COBALT CARBONYL
  • COBALT CARBONYL (CO2(CO)8)
  • COBALT OCTACARBONYL
  • COBALT OCTACARBONYL (CO2(CO)8)
  • COBALT TETRACARBONYL
  • COBALT TETRACARBONYL DIMER
  • DI-MU-CARBONYLHEXACARBONYLDICOBALT
  • DICOBALT CARBONYL
  • DICOBALT CARBONYL (CO2(CO)8)
  • DICOBALT OCTACARBONYL
  • OCTACARBONYLDICOBALT

Version 3.0.0