Carbon monoxide

 

Carbon monoxide

Chemical formula	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

Zn + CaCO₃ → ZnO + CaO + CO

Thermal decomposition

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

CaC₂O₄

{

→

500-550°C}

CaCO₃ + CO

Partial oxidation

Heat carbon in a limited-oxygen environment

2 C + O₂

{

→

800°C}

2 CO

Dehydration

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

H₂SO₄ + HCOOH → H₂SO₄ + H₂O + CO

H₂SO₄ + H₂C₂O₄ → H₂SO₄ + H₂O + CO₂ + CO

See Also

• carbon dioxide