CoO4

Cobalt tetroxide, with the chemical formula CoO4, is an unstable compound. It is a hypothetical or extremely short-lived species that has not been definitively isolated or characterized under standard laboratory conditions. Theoretical studies suggest its existence as a transient intermediate.

The theoretical structure of CoO4 is thought to be tetrahedral, similar to other tetroxides like sulfuric acid (SO4). In this proposed structure, a central cobalt atom would be bonded to four oxygen atoms. The bonding within CoO4 is expected to involve significant covalent character, with cobalt in a high oxidation state, likely +8. This high oxidation state for cobalt is highly unusual and contributes to the compound's instability.

CoO4 is predicted to be a powerful oxidizing agent. Its decomposition would likely yield more stable cobalt oxides and molecular oxygen. The extreme instability of CoO4 means it is not encountered in common chemical processes or applications. Research into such high-oxidation-state oxides is primarily of theoretical interest, exploring the limits of chemical bonding and the behavior of elements under extreme conditions. Due to its ephemeral nature, practical applications for CoO4 are nonexistent.

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