Cobalt(II) acetate


Cobalt acetate is the cobalt salt of acetic acid. It is commonly found as the tetrahydrate Co2·4 H2O, abbreviated Co2·4 H2O. It is used as a catalyst.

Synthesis and structure

It may be formed by the reaction between cobalt oxide or hydroxide and acetic acid:
The tetrahydrate has been shown by X-ray crystallography to adopt an octahedral structure, the central cobalt centre being coordinated by four water molecules and two acetate ligands.

Reactions and uses

Cobalt acetate is a precursor to various oil drying agents, catalysts that allow paints and varnishes to harden.
Cobalt acetate reacts with salenH2 to give salcomine, a precursor to a transition metal dioxygen complex:

Safety

Cobalt salts are poisonous.