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CO

Carbon monoxide

IUPAC : Carbon monoxide
OxideIndustrial

Colourless, odourless gas, extremely toxic by inhalation. Produced by incomplete combustion, it is also a major industrial reagent (syngas, Fischer-Tropsch process, carbonylation).

3D ball-and-stick representation of Carbon monoxide (formula CO). Constituent atoms: C, O.
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Physical properties

Molar mass28.01 g/mol
State at 20 °Cgas
Density—
Melting point68.13 K (-205.02 °C)
Boiling point81.65 K (-191.50 °C)
Solubility (H₂O)2.7 mL/100 mL à 20 °C (peu soluble)

Structure

Crystal system—
3D render modeBall-and-stick

Uses and applications

  • Synthesis gas (syngas): precursor to methanol, hydrogen and Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons
  • Methanol carbonylation (acetic acid production, Monsanto/Cativa processes)
  • Metal oxide reduction in metallurgy
  • Organometallic chemistry reagent (metal carbonyls)

Safety (GHS)

GHS02 · FlammableGHS06 · Acute toxicityGHS08 · Health hazard (CMR)
H statements : H220, H331, H360D, H372

Odourless, colourless and extremely toxic gas. Binds haemoglobin 200 times more strongly than oxygen (carboxyhaemoglobin). Leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in homes.

Constituent elements

6C
Carbon
8O
Oxygen

References

PubChem CID281
CAS630-08-0
SMILES[C-]#[O+]
Sources : PubChem CID 281 · NIST Chemistry WebBook