CoCl2HO

CoCl2HO is the chemical formula for cobalt(II) chloride monohydrate. This compound is a hydrated salt of cobalt and chlorine. In its pure form, it typically appears as reddish-pink crystals. It is soluble in water, forming pink solutions. The monohydrate form is one of several possible hydration states for cobalt(II) chloride. Other common hydrates include the dihydrate (CoCl2·2H2O), the hexahydrate (CoCl2·6H2O), and the heptahydrate (CoCl2·7H2O). The color of cobalt(II) chloride solutions can vary with concentration and temperature.

Cobalt(II) chloride monohydrate is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. This property makes it useful as a desiccant in some applications, although other desiccants are often preferred due to toxicity concerns. Cobalt(II) chloride, in general, has been historically used as an indicator in silica gel desiccant. In its anhydrous form, cobalt(II) chloride is blue, and as it absorbs moisture, it turns pink. This color change is reversible by heating.

Cobalt(II) chloride monohydrate has limited direct applications compared to its other hydrated forms. It can be produced by carefully controlling the dehydration of higher hydrates of cobalt(II) chloride. Its primary significance lies in its chemical relationships to other cobalt(II) chloride hydrates and its role in the broader chemistry of cobalt salts. Due to the presence of cobalt, compounds like cobalt(II) chloride monohydrate should be handled with care as cobalt compounds can have toxic effects.