Carbon monoxide

 

Carbon monoxide

Chemical formula	{{#Chem:CO}}
OTP appearance	colorless gas
Molar Mass(g/mol)	28
Density(g/cc)	0.001145
Melting Point(°C)	-205
Boiling Point(°C)	-191
Fuel Value(MJ/kg)	10
Solubility in water(g/L)	0.0276 (2.4%v/v)
NFPA 704	4 4 2

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas produced by combustion of carbon in a low-oxygen environment such as a charcoal fire.

Uses

• Reduction of metal oxides (see smelting)
• Burning, as a component of producer gas

Natural occurrence

• Rarely produced by low temperature combustion

Hazards

• Very toxic
• Flammable and potentially explosive

Production

Synthesis

Zinc and calcium carbonate

Heat a mixture of zinc and calcium carbonate, producing calcium oxide, zinc oxide, and carbon monoxide

{{#Chem: Zn + CaCO3 = ZnO + CaO + CO}}

Thermal decomposition

Calcium oxalate breaks down giving CO at 500-550 degrees centigrade

{{#Chem: CaC2O4 { → 500-550°C } CaCO3+ CO }}

Partial oxidation

Heat carbon in a limited-oxygen environment

{{#Chem: 2C + O2 { = 800°C } 2CO }}

Dehydration

Combine sulfuric acid with formic acid or oxalic acid, and apply heat

{{#Chem: H2SO4 + HCOOH = H2SO4 + H2O + CO }}

{{#Chem: H2SO4 + H2C2O4 = H2SO4 + H2O + CO2 + CO }}

See Also

• carbon dioxide