Cobalt(II) fluoride facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cobalt(II) fluoride |
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| IUPAC name | Cobalt(II) fluoride |
| Other names | cobalt difluoride |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| PubChem | |
| EC number | 233-061-9 |
| RTECS number | GG0770000 |
| SMILES | F[Co]F |
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InChI
InChI=1/Co.2FH/h;2*1H/q+2;;/p-2
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | |
| Molar mass | 0 g mol-1 |
| Appearance | Red crystalline solid |
| Density | 4.46 g/cm3 (anhydrous) 2.22 g/cm3 (tetrahydrate) |
| Melting point | |
| Boiling point | |
| 1.4 g/100 mL (25 °C) | |
| Solubility | soluble in HF insoluble in alcohol, ether, benzene |
| Structure | |
| Crystal structure | tetragonal (a,hydrous) orthorhombic (tetrahydrate) |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 |
0
3
2
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| Related compounds | |
| Other anions | cobalt(II) oxide, cobalt(II) chloride |
| Other cations | iron(II) fluoride, nickel(II) fluoride |
| Related compounds | cobalt trifluoride |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
Cobalt(II) fluoride, also known as cobaltous fluoride, is a special chemical compound. Its chemical formula is CoF2. This means it is made of one cobalt atom and two fluorine atoms. Cobalt(II) fluoride has cobalt in a specific form called its +2 oxidation state. It also contains fluoride ions, which are fluorine atoms with an extra electron.
Contents
What is Cobalt(II) Fluoride Like?
Cobalt(II) fluoride is a reddish solid that looks like tiny crystals. It does not dissolve much in water. However, a form of it that has water molecules attached (called a hydrate) can dissolve in water. It can also dissolve in acid.
How Does it React?
This compound can react with hydrogen gas when heated to about 300 degrees Celsius (572 degrees Fahrenheit). When this happens, it turns into pure cobalt metal and hydrogen fluoride gas.
How is Cobalt(II) Fluoride Made?
There are a few ways to make cobalt(II) fluoride.
Making the Dry Form
You can make the dry form (without any water molecules attached) by reacting dry cobalt(II) oxide or cobalt(II) chloride with a stream of hydrogen fluoride gas.
Making the Wet Form
The form that has water molecules attached (the hydrated form) is made by reacting any cobalt(II) compound with hydrofluoric acid.
Other Ways to Make it
If you react fluorine gas with cobalt metal at a very high temperature, you will get both cobalt(II) fluoride and another compound called cobalt(III) fluoride.
What is Cobalt(II) Fluoride Used For?
Cobalt(II) fluoride has several important uses.
As a Catalyst
It is used as a catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that helps a chemical reaction happen faster without being used up itself.
In Dental Care
It can also be a source of the fluoride ion. Fluoride is often used in dentist care to help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities.
In Lenses
You might also find cobalt(II) fluoride used in making certain types of lenses.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Fluoruro de cobalto(II) para niños
