Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Difference Between Cobalt Oxide and Cobalt Carbonate

Difference Between Cobalt Oxide and Cobalt Carbonate

August 27, 2020 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between cobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate is that cobalt oxide appears as a black powder, whereas cobalt carbonate appears as a pink-violet powder.

Cobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate are inorganic chemical compounds. These two compounds have different chemical and physical properties. At first sight, they appear in different colors, so we can name the appearance as the key difference between them.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cobalt Oxide 
3. What is Cobalt Carbonate
4. Side by Side Comparison – Cobalt Oxide vs Cobalt Carbonate in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Cobalt Oxide

Cobalt (II) oxide or cobalt monoxide is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula CoO. It appears as a black powder. However, we can sometimes observe it as olive green crystals or red crystals as well. This compound is extensively used in the ceramics industry as an additive for enamels. It is also important in the chemical industry for the production of cobalt (II) salts.

When considering the structure and properties of cobalt (II) oxide, it often gets the periclase structure, which resembles the structure of rock salt. At very low temperatures, this compound is antiferromagnetic. Furthermore, this compound is insoluble in water. It can react with mineral acids to form a corresponding salt compound.

Besides, there are different ways of producing cobalt (II) oxide. For example, cobalt (II,III) oxide undergo decomposition at very high temperatures and forms cobalt (II) oxide. For the production of commercially available cobalt (II) oxide, we can perform an electrolysis process using a solution of cobalt (II) chloride. In addition to that, we can produce cobalt (II) oxide via the precipitation of hydroxide followed by thermal dehydration.

Key Difference - Cobalt Oxide vs Cobalt Carbonate

Figure 01: Cobalt (II) Oxide Structure

Moreover, there are different applications of cobalt (II) oxide. It is important as a coloring agent in kiln-fired pottery production. This additive provides the product with a deep blue color named cobalt blue. Therefore, it is also used in the production of cobalt blue glass.

What is Cobalt Carbonate?

Cobalt carbonate or cobalt (II) carbonate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula CoCO3. It is a pink-violet powder that resembles the color of permanganate. We can prepare this compound by combining solutions of cobalt (II) sulfate and sodium bicarbonate. Cobalt carbonate has the structure of calcite where the cobalt atoms are in an octahedral coordination geometry.

Difference Between Cobalt Oxide and Cobalt Carbonate

Figure 02: Appearance of Cobalt Carbonate

Moreover, this compound takes part in different chemical reactions due to the presence of carbonate anion. Heating this carbonate gives partial oxide products along with carbon dioxide. The resultant partially oxidized compound then reversibly converts into cobalt (II) oxide at high temperatures. This compound is also insoluble in water. But it is readily attacked by mineral acids.

There are several applications of cobalt carbonate. It is the precursor for the production of cobalt carbonyl and many other cobalt salts. It is also an ingredient in dietary supplements because cobalt is an essential element. Moreover, it is a precursor for blue pottery glaze.

What is the Difference Between Cobalt Oxide and Cobalt Carbonate?

Cobalt (II) oxide or cobalt monoxide is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula CoO while Cobalt carbonate or cobalt (II) carbonate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula CoCO3. The key difference between cobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate is that cobalt oxide appears as a black powder, whereas cobalt carbonate appears as a pink-violet powder.

Below infographic lists more differences between cobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate.

Difference Between Cobalt Oxide and Cobalt Carbonate in Tabular Form

Summary – Cobalt Oxide vs Cobalt Carbonate

Cobalt oxide or cobalt (II) oxide and cobalt (II) carbonate contain cobalt metal ion having +2 oxidation state. The key difference between cobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate is that cobalt oxide appears as a black powder, whereas cobalt carbonate appears as a pink-violet powder.

Reference:

1. Cobalt(II) carbonate. (2020, June 08). Retrieved August 26, 2020, from Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “NaCl polyhedra” By Solid State – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cobalt(2) carbonate” By Roterham – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Key Difference Between Oxygen and Carbon DioxideDifference Between Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Difference Between Tris and Tris BaseDifference Between Tris and Tris Base Difference Between Chalcophile and Siderophile ElementsDifference Between Chalcophile and Siderophile Elements Difference Between Bleach and DisinfectantDifference Between Bleach and Disinfectant Difference Between Thixotropic and Rheopectic Fluids

Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Summary and Analysis

Difference Between Sumerians and Egyptians

Difference Between Sumerians and Egyptians

Difference Between Lutheran and Evangelical

Difference Between Lutheran and Evangelical

Difference Between Centromere and Telomere

Difference Between Centromere and Telomere

Difference Between Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Penta and Hexa Vaccine
  • What is the Difference Between Vital and Supravital Staining
  • What is the Difference Between Post Transcriptional and Post Translational Modification
  • What is the Difference Between Gingelly Oil and Sesame Oil
  • What is the Difference Between Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Truncus Arteriosus
  • What is the Difference Between Lagophthalmos and Ptosis
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.