Definition and Usage Areas of Cobalt chloride

Cobalt chloride is an inorganic compound of cobalt and chlorine, with the formula CoCl 2. It is usually given as the hexahydrate CoCl 2 6H 2 O, one of the most used cobalt compounds in the laboratory.

The hexahydrate is purple, whereas the anhydrous form is sky blue. Because of the ease of the hydration/dehydration reaction and the resulting color change, cobalt chloride is used as an indicator for desiccant in water.

Niche uses of cobalt chloride include its role in organic synthesis and galvanic cobalt metal objects.

CoCl2 is classified as a substance of very concern by the European Chemicals Agency as it is a suspected carcinogen.

Usage areas

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• CoCl2 is a known chemical stimulator of hypoxia-like responses such as erythropoiesis.