2435. Cobaltous Bromide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7789-43-7
Cobalt dibromide.
Br2Co; mol wt 218.74.
Br 73.06%, Co 26.94%.
CoBr2.

Description and references

Prepn of hexahydrate from CoCO3 and HBr: Clark, Buchner, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 44, 230 (1922). Prepn of anhydr: eidem, loc. cit.; Watt et al., ibid. 77, 2752 (1955); Wydeven, Gregory, J. Phys. Chem. 68, 3249 (1964).

Properties

Bright green solid or lustrous green cryst leaflets. mp 678° (under HBr and N2); d425 4.909. Hygroscopic, forms hexahydrate in air. Readily sol in water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, methyl acetate.

Derivative

Hexahydrate.

Properties

Red to reddish-purple, deliquesc, prismatic crystals. mp 47-48°. d425 2.46. Loses 4H2O at 100° giving the purple dihydrate, and all H2O by 130°. Sol in water giving red or blue soln depending on concn and temp, in methanol giving red soln, in ethanol, acetone, ether, methyl acetate giving blue solns. Keep well closed.

Use

Chiefly in hygrometers; also in catalysts for organic reactions.